| Code | DS/UK/9898 |
| Name | Addison; John (16 March 1920-7 December 1998); British composer |
| Variations of Name | John Mervyn Addison |
| Dates | 16 March 1920-7 December 1998 |
| Gender | Male (cisgender) |
| Place of Birth/Origin | Chobham, Surrey, England (born) |
| Relationships | Son of Royal Field Artillery colonel
Grandson of Lieut Col George Addison (played for Royal Engineers in 1872 and 1874 FA Cup Finals)
Brotherin-law of Douglas Bader |
| Biography | John Addison was a British composer best known for his film scores.
He studied at the Royal College of Music with Gordon Jacob, Léon Goossens, and Frederick Thurston. This education ended in 1939 with service in World War II. Addison served with the British XXX Corps in the 23rd Hussars. He was a tank officer in the Battle of Normandy and wounded at Caen, later participating in Operation Market Garden. At the end of the war, he returned to London to teach composition at the Royal College of Music.
Addison is best known for his film scores. He won an Academy Award and a Grammy Award in the Best Original Score from a Motion Picture or Television Show category for the music to the 1963 film, Tom Jones. He also won a BAFTA Award for A Bridge Too Far (1977). He composed the theme music for the television series Murder, She Wrote, for which he won an Emmy. |