A re-evaluation of the work and status of a composer not infrequently occurs a decade after death and/or during an anniversary year. Howard Ferguson was born on 21 October 1908. The centennial year of his birth saw a number of high-profile concerts and talks devoted to his music and public life. My aim is not to survey the career and work of a musician who contributed significantly to many mainstream activities and events in 20th-century British musical life, including the war-time National Gallery concerts, the Vaughan Williams-Finzi composer circle, chamber music performance, the Royal Academy of Music, OUP and Associated Board interpretative editions.