A french organist and composer. Born in Neuve-Maison, Aisne on 11th of June, 1853. His formal name is Samuel-Alexandre Rousseau. His father was an woodworker-turned harmonium builder who had immigrated from north France to Paris. In the light of his father's countenance, Samuel got familiar with playing organ from his childhood and developed his musical gift. In 1877, he entered the Paris Conservatory and studied organ under C.Franck. With whom, he obtained second prize for the instrument in 1876, and got the first prize in the next year. He also studied harmony under François Bazin there. Under the guidance of him, he applied Prix de Rome and obtained the 2nd prize with his cantata 'Judith' in 1876 as well as he won the first prize with his cantata 'La Fille de Jephté' in 1878. He was appinted as a chorusmaster of the famous St.Clotilde Church in Paris where he also ordained into the organist. Beside writing many operatic compositions, he was active as a professor of harmony (from 1898?) in Paris Concervatory, the musical critic on a journal 'L'éclair', and the conductor of Paris-Opera Theatre Orchestra (in 1892). He was awarded Paris Citizen Prize in 1891, Région-d'honour Prize in 1890. He died in Paris on 1st of October, 1904. His compositional diction belongs to post-Franckist idiom with hints of modernism with more sophisticated use of chromatic notes. He is sometimes confused with his son, Marcel Samuel-Rousseau (1882-1955) who also won the second Prix de Rome.
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