Virgil Thomson  (1896 – 1989) was an American composer and music critic who composed across many genres. He is the recipient of many awards, including the Pulitzer Prize.  Thomson was introduced to the work of both of his most important influences, Satie and Stein, while at Harvard. Satie’s legacy can be heard in his music including in terms of its clarity, wittiness and humour. While he missed meeting Satie before Satie’s death, he not only met Stein but they also became friends – and moreover, collaborators – the groundbreaking Four Saints in Three Acts as the most significant.