Foden, William Born in St. Louis, Missouri.William Foden is considered to have been America’s premiere native born classical guitarist during the 1890s and first decades of the twentieth century. He began the study of the violin at the age of seven and by the time he was fifteen, he was the conductor of asmall orchestra. At this time he became interested in the guitar through one of the orchestra members and began of his study of this instrument with William O. Bateman, a lawyer in St. Louis.

Later he began to give concerts in the local area and received high praise. When his tourextended to other major cities his reputation as the premier American-born guitarist was established.

The Grand Sonata in G by William Foden represents the most significant and ambitious piece written for solo guitar by an American composer prior to the latter part of the 20th century.