Ivor Novello

Ivor Novello born David Ivor Davies 15 January 1893 6 March 1951 was a Welsh composer and actor who became one of the most popular British entertainers of the first half of the 20th century on both screen and stage He was born into a musical Cardiff family and his mother Clara Novello Davies was an internationally known singing teacher and choral conductor As a child Novello was a successful singer in various eisteddfodau throughout the country He was educated privately in Cardiff and then in Gloucester and later won a scholarship to Magdalen College School in Oxford The family moved to London in 1913 and here Novellos career flourished In 1914 at the start of World War II he wrote the words to his most popular song Keep the Home Fires Burning Novello lived in a flat above the Strand Theatre where he remained until his death in 1951 Since 1955 the internationally prestigious The Ivor Novello Awards The Ivors for songwriting and composing are annually awarded by the British Academy of Songwriters Composers and Authors BASCA