William Thomas Samuel (1852-1917) was born in Carmarthen, Wales. He was alto boy in the choir of the Baptist Chapel, but an even more avid cricket player. He began a trade, but was led to music after studying Tonic Sol-fa. At 17 he won prizes for sight-singing and composition and at 18 conducted the Carmarthen United Choir. He studied at Aborystwyth University, returning to Carmarthen to teach at several chapels and schools. He moved to Swansea to conduct the choir of Mount Pleasant Chapel. He organized and conducted the Baptist Union Choir and conducted the Young Men’s Christian Association Choir, and the Swansea Tonic Sol-fa Society. He also led the choir when Dwight Moody and Ira Sankey brought their evangelistic meeting from the United States. He taught at St. Joseph’s Convent, Alderman Davies’ Schools, Neath, Mumbles Board Schools, the Higher Grade Schools, Cardiff, and a number of private schools. He died in Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wales.