Origins & Early Life

Egon Joseph Wellesz, CBE, FBA (21 October 1885 – 9 November 1974) was an Austrian, later British composer, teacher and musicologist, notable particularly in the field of Byzantine music. Egon Joseph Wellesz was born on 21 October 1885 in the Schottengasse district of Vienna to Samu Wellesz and Ilona Wellesz (née Lövényi). Although his parents met and married in Vienna, they both originated from Hungary and were Jewish. Egon Wellesz formally left the Jewish community on October 4, 1917 and converted to Protestantism in 10 days, on October 14, 1917 (his wife Emmy did so a year earlier), and in 1933 both he and his wife converted to Catholicism.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

As a boy he attended the Franz-Joseph-Gymnasium on Hegel Street where he received a classical education in Greek and Latin. Wellesz's father worked in the textile business and his parents initially intended Wellesz to join him in his work, or pursue a career as a civil servant. In order to achieve that aim, his parents were intent upon Wellesz pursuing an education in law. Accordingly, Wellesz entered the University of Vienna as a law student following the completion of his studies at the Franz-Joseph-Gymnasium...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alban Berg — Contemporary (Born in 1885) (1885): Key figure of the Second Viennese School, blending Romanticism with twelve-tone technique.
• Alice Paul — Contemporary (Born in 1885) (1885): Pioneering American suffragist and feminist leader for women's constitutional rights.
• Charles George Gordon — Contemporary (Died in 1885) (1885): British General renowned for service in China and the Sudan, earning the title 'Chinese Gordon'.
• Adria Petty — Contemporary (Born in 1974) (1974): American director, editor, and artist known for music video work with Beyoncé.
• Alanis Morissette — Contemporary (Born in 1974) (1974): Iconic singer-songwriter known for raw emotion and confessional alt-rock anthems.
• Alex Jones — Contemporary (Born in 1974) (1974): American far-right commentator and prominent conspiracy theorist.
• 5th Dalai Lama — Shared historical date (10-21 · Born) (1617): Spiritual and political leader of Tibet, unifying the region under the Ganden Phodrang.
• Alfred Nobel — Shared historical date (10-21 · Born) (1833): Pioneering chemist, inventor of dynamite, and founder of the Nobel Prizes.
• Ahn Chang Ho — Shared historical date (11-09 · Born) (1878): Pioneering Korean independence activist and leader of the Korean-American community.
• Benjamin Banneker — Shared historical date (11-09 · Born) (1731): Self-taught polymath, surveyor, and advocate for racial equality in early America.
• 1885 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1885
• October 21 (10-21) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on October 21
• 1974 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1974
• November 9 (11-09) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on November 9