John Mervyn Addison, born on March 16, 1920, in Chobham, Surrey, England, was a distinguished British composer renowned for his film scores. Coming from a military family, Addison initially planned a military career, attending Wellington College, Berkshire. However, his musical talent led him to the Royal College of Music (RCM), where he studied composition, oboe, and clarinet. His education was interrupted by World War II, during which he served as a tank officer in the 23rd Hussars, participating in significant battles such as the Battle of Normandy and Operation Market Garden, where he was wounded.

After the war, Addison returned to the RCM, focusing on composition under Gordon Jacob. He became a professor of composition and won the Sullivan Prize for Composition. Addison's career in film music began in earnest in 1950 with the score for "Seven Days to Noon," following an introduction to film directors Roy and John Boulting during his military service. His film score for "Tom Jones" (1963) won him an Academy Award and a Grammy Award, while he received a BAFTA Award for "A Bridge Too Far" (1977), a film depicting a battle he had experienced.

Addison also composed for television, notably creating the theme for "Murder, She Wrote," which earned him an Emmy and became his most lucrative work. His contributions to theatre included music for John Osborne's plays and the revue "Cranks." Despite his success in film and television, Addison composed numerous classical works, including concertos and chamber pieces.

In the late 1970s, Addison moved to the United States, where he continued his work in television. He passed away from a stroke on December 7, 1998, in Bennington, Vermont, leaving behind a legacy of diverse and influential compositions. He was survived by his wife, Pamela, and his children.