This biography investigates the life and creative development of Ralph Vaughan Williams, one of the most significant English composers of the twentieth century. Ursula Vaughan Williams, the composer's wife and a professional writer, utilizes his personal papers and her own intimate observations from his final years to construct a comprehensive portrait. The text argues that the composer's artistic output is inextricably linked to his personal character and his deep connection to English musical traditions.

Critics and music historians frequently cite this work as a foundational and authoritative text regarding the composer's life. Readers often note the fluent prose style and the detailed, intimate nature of the biographical account.