George Templeton Strong

George Templeton Strong (May 26, 1856 – June 27, 1948) was an American composer of classical music and a professional painter. His work has been described as Romantic. He moved to Vevey, Switzerland, in 1897 and lived there and in Geneva for the remainder of his life. Although his career was in Europe, he is considered an American composer.

Early life and education

George Templeton Strong was born in New York City to Ellen (Ruggles) and George Templeton Strong, an attorney. The family was musical; both parents were amateur musicians and his father, an amateur organist, was on the board of the New York Philharmonic Society. He occasionally played as an oboist and English horn player with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.

After his 1891 return to the United States, Strong taught counterpoint and composition at the New England Conservatory in Boston. He disliked the work, and his health suffered. In 1897 he moved back to Europe to Vevey, Switzerland, on Lake Geneva. For the next several years he studied watercolor painting and worked as professional artist. About 1912, he moved to Geneva, where he began to compose music again. He lived in Geneva for the rest of his life and painted seriously for 30 years.

Private life

Strong married three times. He first wed Frances Gertrude Veronica Anderson (a cousin of the theatrical costume designer and painter, Percy Anderson) in June 1883 at Samer, France, then Elizabeth Jane Myers in 1894 at Brentford, UK and finally around 1946, Léonie Clara Ehrat.

In 1948 Strong died aged 92 in Geneva, where he had lived for more than 30 years.