Hector Berlioz December 11 On this date in 1803, musical composer Hector Berlioz was born in Dauphine, France. His mother was Roman Catholic. His physician father expected Hector, who had a musical affinity, to follow in his footsteps. Repelled by the crude medicine of his day, Berlioz turned from medical studies to music when his cantata won a Conservatoire prize. He was awarded the Prix de Rome in 1830. The passionate composer was highly influenced by Shakespeare, writing three major works on Shakespearean themes. He was also influenced by Byron, and Goethe's Faust. He married actress Harriet Smithson. Now considered the father of French Romanticism, Berlioz was discouraged by French critics at the time, despite major compositions such as Symphonie fantastique (1830), Harold en Italie, Romeo and Juliette and overtures to King Lear and Rob Roy. In fact, his works were so original and sweeping that many regarded Berlioz as a musical lunatic. He was forced to become a music critic to support himself. Gradually, Berlioz found his recognition abroad, and toured throughout the 1840s and 1850s. Freethought historian Joseph McCabe termed Berlioz an agnostic. D. 1869. “I believe nothing.” —Letter by Hector Berlioz, cited by G.K. Boult, Life of H. Berlioz, 1903, p. 298 (from Joseph McCabe's A Biographical Dictionary of Modern Rationalists)