Sir Henry Rowley Bishop (18 November 1787 – 30 April 1856) was an influential English composer of the early Romantic era, renowned for his contributions to music and opera. Born in London, Bishop's early life saw him leave formal education at 13 to work as a music publisher before pursuing musical training under Francesco Bianchi. His career began with the composition of "Angelina" in 1804 and gained momentum with his ballet "Tamerlan et Bajazet" in 1806, leading to a permanent position at the King's Theatre, Haymarket.

Bishop's first opera, "The Circassian Bride," premiered in 1809 at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, but the theatre's destruction by fire the following night necessitated a complete rewrite of the score. This opera marked the beginning of Bishop's long and prolific career in London's major theatres, including Covent Garden and Drury Lane, where he composed and arranged numerous works. He was a founding member of the Royal Philharmonic Society in 1813 and served as music director at Covent Garden for 14 years.

Knighted in 1842, Bishop was the first composer to receive such an honor. He held academic positions as Reid Professor of Music at the University of Edinburgh and Heather Professor of Music at the University of Oxford. Despite his professional successes, Bishop's personal life was marked by scandal when his second wife, soprano Anna Bishop, left him for harpist Nicolas-Charles Bochsa.

Bishop's legacy includes approximately 120 dramatic works, with notable songs like "Home! Sweet Home!" and "Lo! Hear the Gentle Lark." He passed away in 1856, leaving behind a significant impact on English music and opera.