Rebecca Helferich Clarke was a notable British composer and violist born on 27 August 1886 in Harrow, England. She grew up in a musical family, with her father being American and her mother German. Clarke showed talent from a young age, beginning her music studies at the Royal Academy of Music and later at the Royal College of Music. As one of the first female professional orchestral players in London, she broke barriers in a male-dominated field.

During her career, Clarke wrote many beautiful pieces for viola, which showcased her exceptional skills as a performer. Her renowned works include the Viola Sonata and Morpheus, composed under the pseudonym ‘Anthony Trent.’ After World War II, she moved to the United States and married composer James Friskin. Although she composed fewer pieces later in life, her legacy continued to grow. In 2000, the Rebecca Clarke Society was established to honour her music and ensure it is played for generations to come. Clarke died on 13 October 1979.