Ruth Gipps (1921-1999) was a child prodigy composer, oboist and pianist. After extreme success in her younger life winner performance competitions and having her compositions published, she studied at the Royal College of Music, London in 1937, where she was taught composition, at one point, by Vaughan Williams. She continued her studies at Durham University. She became known as an oboe and piano soloist as well as a composer, until she was 33 when she received a hand injury meaning she could no longer perform. She concentrated more on composing and conducting, although she had little success finding a good position in the latter role due to discrimination against female conductors. Later roles included faculty posts at Trinity College, London, Royal College of Music and Kingston University (then known as Kingston Polytechnic).