Pierre Robert Joseph Alfred Quidant was a French pianist, composer and music teacher born 7 December 1815 in Lyon, France, the son of a merchant of musical instruments. He began studying music and piano in his hometown. In 1831, he went to study at the Conservatoire de Paris, but interrupted his studies to work for Sébastien Érard as piano demonstrator, a job that he held for more than thirty years. Quidant wrote mainly salon music, which became popular during his time. His pupils include Emil von Sauer, Conrad Ansorge, and Arthur de Greef. He died in Paris on 9 October 1893.