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Robert Sammut composer of the National Anthem
L-Innu Malti was born in Floriana on the 17th
October 1869. He was a doctor by profession, having
studied at the University of Malta from where he
graduated in medicine. He followed post graduate
studies in Edinburgh and he eventually was appointed
professor of pathology.
Sammut played with an amateur orchestra and wrote
the music for a hymn to be performed by it. The
King's Own Band of Valletta took up this music and
Dun Karm Psaila, the National Poet, set later lyrics
to it.
This was the genesis of the national anthem, which
was first performed as such in public at the Manoel
Theatre in 1919. Sammut died in Sliema on the 26th
May 1934.
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