Arthur Farwell (1872-1952) was a composer, critic, publisher and educator in the United States. Born in Minnesota, he first studied engineering before turning toward music, where he became an energetic organiser as well as a composer.

Farwell founded the Wa-Wan Press, an important publishing venture devoted to music by composers working in the United States. His own catalogue includes piano pieces, songs, choral works and orchestral music.

His style grew from late Romantic technique, but he was strongly interested in creating music with a distinct local character. That aim shaped both his own compositions and his work as a publisher and advocate.

Farwell’s historical importance lies not only in individual pieces, but in the musical infrastructure he helped build. He gave early American concert music one of its useful little engines: modest in size, but determined in motion.