Peter Maxwell Davies

Sir Peter Maxwell Davies (born 1934) ia a composer, and Master of the Queen's Music.

Davies was born in Salford and began composing from an early age. He studied at the University of Manchester and Manchester Shool of Music. He later studied in Rome and the USA, and was composer in residence at the University of Adelaide, Australia. On returning to the UK he settled in the Orkneys. He lives with his civil partner, Colin Parkinson, on the Orkney island of Sanday.

In 1977 he founded the St Magnus Festival in Orkney. He received a knighthood in 1987. He was appointed Master of the Queens's Music in 2004.

In 2007 he accused Orkney Council of homophobia when he was not allowed to have his civiel partnerhsip ceremony on the Sanday Light Railway, but would have to travel to Kirkwall for it.