Adrian Le Roy (ca. 1520-1598) was an influential French music publisher, lutenist, mandore player, guitarist, composer and music educator. Le Roy and his cousin Robert Ballard (c.1525–1588) founded the printing firm Le Roy & Ballard, and in August 1551 obtained a royal privilege from Henry II to print music. In February 1553, the company was awarded the title of Imprimeur du Roi en musique (previously held by Pierre Attaignant). This office, which was renewed by successive monarchs, gave the company legal protection against competitors and commercially valuable prestige. Royal patronage was a major factor in the company's success since it ensured both a ready supply of new music from the court musicians and a market for its publications. Over the following two decades other rival companies dropped out of the market and from the 1570s onwards Le Roy & Ballard enjoyed a virtual monopoly in music publishing.
While Robert Ballard looked after the business side, Le Roy assumed the role of an artistic director. He achieved renown as a composer and arranger of songs and instrumentals, his published work including at least six books of tablature for the lute, five volumes for the guitar and arrangements for the cittern.
