Achille-Claude Debussy was born in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France, in 1862. He came from modest means (his parents ran a china shop) and his upbringing was peculiar by anyone's standards. Born with a double forehead, he was tutored at home by his mother as his parents feared his deformity might be subject to various injuries or illnesses (particularly, fluid on the brain), but this seclusion left him shy and uncomfortable around his peers. In 1871, his father was jailed some for political activity. Thankfully wealthy godparents saw his talents and paid for his musical education.

Despite a slow start at the Paris Conservatoire -- he was 10 when he enrolled -- by age 15 he had begun writing his own compositions. Still, the man who was to become the greatest French composer of his era had to fight some uphill battles. When a professor, unimpressed by his student's work, asked what rules he followed, Debussy replied: "None -- only my own pleasure!" And ours.