Hussain Mohamed (1919- ) was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka; studied at the Royal College of Music, London; teachers were Henry Kinsey (violin and viola) and R.O. Morris and Ralph Vaughan Williams for theory and composition, Ivor James (chamber music) and Adrian Boult for conducting; 30 years of experience playing in orchestras in London and Glasgow. Quartet was written in Glasgow in 1962 and intended for student use.