Alec Wilder, born Alexander Lafayette Chew Wilder on February 16, 1907, in Rochester, New York, was an American composer renowned for his inventive and lyrical compositions that blended American musical traditions with classical European forms. Wilder hailed from a prominent family, with his maternal grandfather being a notable banker. Despite his family's wealth, Wilder valued his friendships and often shared his fortune generously.

Wilder's musical education was largely self-directed, although he studied composition and counterpoint privately at the Eastman School of Music. He never formally enrolled or received a degree, but his unique style and unorthodox views eventually earned him an honorary degree in 1973. His music, which included sonatas, suites, concertos, operas, ballets, and hundreds of popular songs, defied easy categorization, often being too "jazzy" for classical tastes and too "classical" for jazz enthusiasts.

Throughout his career, Wilder maintained close relationships with prominent musicians such as Frank Sinatra, Mitch Miller, Peggy Lee, and Tony Bennett, who helped introduce his music to a broader audience. His collaborations with Sinatra led to recordings of his works, including a historic album of Wilder's solo wind works with string orchestra conducted by Sinatra.

Wilder was also an author and radio host, gaining recognition for his 1972 book, "American Popular Song: The Great Innovators, 1900–1950," considered a definitive work on American songwriting. He hosted the Peabody Award-winning radio series "American Popular Song with Alec Wilder and Friends" on NPR in the mid-1970s.

Despite his prolific output, Wilder's music was often underappreciated during his lifetime, with critics like Whitney Balliett dubbing him "The President of the Derriere Garde." Nevertheless, his work remains a testament to his originality and the diverse synthesis of musical styles he embraced. Alec Wilder passed away on December 24, 1980, in Gainesville, Florida, leaving behind a legacy of remarkable musical contributions.