Robert Johnson was an English lutenist and composer of the late Renaissance. He knew William Shakespeare and composed the original musical settings for many of the playwright's stage productions.

His date of birth is estimated to be around 1583, and he was the son of John Johnson, who was also a prominent lutenist and composer. His first musical instruction came from his father, who died in 1594, when Robert was only 11 years old. Then he was taken in by Sir George Carey, who cared for Johnson and oversaw his education. Carey was also a patron to the famous lutenist John Dowland, which leads to the possibility that Dowland could have taught Johnson after his father's death. Carey also had a connection to Shakespeare, and to the King's Men theater company, which would prove to be important connections for Johnson later in his life. In 1603 Carey passed away, and in 1604 Johnson began a life-long career as a lutenist at the royal court of King James I. Four years later, he started composing for the King's Men, which included productions by Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, and others. It was for this purpose that he wrote his most famous songs, including Hark! Hark! The Lark! for Shakespeare's Cymbeline in 1609, and also Full Fathom Five and Where the Bee Sucks for The Tempest in 1611. He also collaborated with other composers such as Thomas Lupo, and Alfonso Ferrabosco. From 1610 to 1612, he served as the lutenist to Prince Henry, for whom he composed The Prince's Almain. In this capacity, he was responsible for composing music for courtly masques, and he also gave lute lessons to the young prince. Johnson's only surviving lute music is also from this 15-year span from 1600 to 1615. In 1617 he was appointed lutenist to Prince Charles, and in 1625 he was transferred to the royal Lutes, Violes, and Voices ensemble. At the time of his death in 1633, he had two royal appointments, and he was married to his wife, Anne. In modern times, his music has been recorded by the Baltimore Consort, Ian Bostridge, James Bowman, and many others. ~ RJ Lambert, Rovi