The first Director of the Royal College of Music, Sir George Grove (1820–1900) was one of the most important figures in British musical life in the second half of the nineteenth century. He trained initially as an engineer, but in the 1850s began to turn his attention to writing, providing programme notes for the public concerts at the Crystal Palace. The first edition of the 'Dictionary of Music and Musicians' that still bears his name was published in 1879. In 1880 Grove was invited to join the council of the proposed Royal College of Music. He threw himself into the campaign to build up the necessary scholarship fund: by 1882 this was achieved and Grove was offered the Directorship. He was also responsible for persuading Samson Fox, a wealthy Leeds engineer, to bear the whole cost of the construction of the Blomfield building, in which the College is still housed.