For the American author with a similar name, see Virgil Thompson Virgil Thomson (November 25, 1896 - September 30, 1989) was an American composer from Kansas City, Missouri who was instrumental in the development of the "American Sound" in classical music so often associated with the patriotic compositions of Aaron Copland. Biography Thomson displayed an extraordinary intelligence at an early age. As a child, he befriended Alice Smith, granddaughter of Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon faith. He attended Harvard University, and his tours of Europe with the Harvard Glee Club helped nurture his desire to return there. Upon his move there, he eventually studied with Nadia Boulanger and became a fixture of "Paris in the twenties." His most important friend from this period was Gertrude Stein, who was an artistic collaborator and mentor to him. Following the publication of his book The State of Music he estab

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