Royden Barrie Explained

Rodney Bennett (1890-1948) was a playwright, children's author, and lyricist, who also wrote under the name Royden Barrie. He was the father of the poet M. R. Peacocke and the composer Richard Rodney Bennett.^[1]

Bennett was educated at Reading University College, where he edited the college magazine Tamesis. He then became a teacher in London, while studying singing.^[2]

He left teaching to take up singing, speech training, and musical journalism. He wrote several books, including Lets Do a Play, about acting, and The London Dramatic Books, a series of plays for children.^[2]

As Royden Barrie he wrote lyrics for songs by Eric Coates, Hayden Wood, Roger Quilter, Martin Shaw, and others.^{[3] [2]}

He died at home in Budleigh Salterton on 14 April 1948.^[2]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Bennett, Richard Rodney in All Contents The Library . library.berklee.edu . Berklee .
2. News: Mr. Rodney Bennett. 16 April 1948. The Reading Standard. 3.
3. Book: Valerie Langfield. Roger Quilter and his Music. Boydell Press. Woodbridge, Suffolk, England. 2003. 978-0851158716.