Albert Roussel was born in Tourcoing ("Nord" "department" of France). HIs earliest interest was not music. It was mathematics. He spent some time in the French Navy. In 1889 and 1890 he served on the crew of the frigate "Iphigénie". These travels were significant to his later career as a composer. This is because many of his musical works would reflect his interest in far-off and interesting places.