1. Christopher Vernon Hassall was an English actor, dramatist, librettist, lyricist and poet, who found his greatest fame in a memorable musical partnership with the actor and composer Ivor Novello after working together in the same touring company.
Christopher Hassall was a noted biographer of Rupert Brooke and Edward Marsh.
Christopher Hassall was the son of the illustrator John Hassall and brother of Joan Hassall, who engraved the title page of his book of poetry, Devil's Dyke, published in 1936.
Christopher Hassall married the actress Eve Lynett, with whom he had a son and a daughter, the actress Imogen Christopher Hassall.
Christopher Hassall was an experienced actor serving as Ivor Novello's understudy in a minor London drama when Novello invited him to provide the lyrics for a new musical.
Christopher Hassall's contributions included: Upon Westminster Bridge, Daffodils, and Ode: Intimations of Immortality by William Wordsworth; and Death Be Not Proud by John Donne.
Christopher Hassall lived at Tonford Manor, a house with a mediaeval stone tower situated by the River Stour on the outskirts of Canterbury.
Christopher Hassall delighted in its fine prospect and had a road named after him in the community.
Shortly before his death in 1963, Christopher Hassall spoke about the first Stour Music Festival, saying:.
Christopher Hassall died on a train at Rochester, Kent, on 25 April 1963 after suffering a heart attack whilst running for the train to see his daughter Imogen appear in a Royal Ballet School performance at Covent Garden.