<P> John Philip Sousa ( / ˈsuːsə / ; ; November 6 , 1854 -- March 6 , 1932 ) was an American composer and conductor of the late Romantic era , known primarily for American military and patriotic marches . Because of his mastery of march composition , he is known as `` The March King '' , or the `` American March King '' due to his British counterpart Kenneth J. Alford also being known by the former nickname . Among his best - known marches are `` The Stars and Stripes Forever '' ( National March of the United States of America ) , `` Semper Fidelis '' ( Official March of the United States Marine Corps ) , `` The Liberty Bell '' ( used as the theme for Monty Python 's Flying Circus ) , `` The Thunderer '' and `` The Washington Post '' . </P>
<P> John Philip Sousa ( / ˈsuːsə / ; ; November 6 , 1854 -- March 6 , 1932 ) was an American composer and conductor of the late Romantic era , known primarily for American military and patriotic marches . Because of his mastery of march composition , he is known as `` The March King '' , or the `` American March King '' due to his British counterpart Kenneth J. Alford also being known by the former nickname . Among his best - known marches are `` The Stars and Stripes Forever '' ( National March of the United States of America ) , `` Semper Fidelis '' ( Official March of the United States Marine Corps ) , `` The Liberty Bell '' ( used as the theme for Monty Python 's Flying Circus ) , `` The Thunderer '' and `` The Washington Post '' . </P>
what type of music did john philip sousa write
what type of music did john philip sousa write
American military and patriotic marches
American military and patriotic marches