Definitions in ten clues are a letter down; missing letters, in clue order, spell out the creator of one unclued light (three words) which defines the other seven (including one hyphened). Elsewhere, ignore one accent.
Across
1 Chap started to mine free ores, developing alloy
(14, hyphened)
10 From Austria, backless seat (4, two words)
12 Overact in a mad caper? (10)
13 Lingerie had fastener (4)
15 Abandoned barn’s for returning Chinese (6)
18 Use acres for waste (4)
21 Whence iron discipline? (7)
22 US general rejected Liberal President as fishy (7, hyphened)
24 Good feeling from book that is clear and touching (8, hyphened)
26 Song succeeded, taken in hand (5)
28 Heather’s one going for posh, tasty pants (5)
29 Flies function in county area (8)
33 Worm needs help to cross reef (7)
34 Soldiers troop around for vital support (7)
37 Fix with European yarn (4)
38 Amass current headgear in Rome (5)
39 Fine American pastries cold inside (6)
43 Bear with hair somewhat like shitzu (4)
44 Executive looked after new direct purchasing method (14, two words)
Down
1 Note Old English in Gaelic language (8)
2 Man, awful yob, put into service (5)
3 Returned thus without WC Fields in Oz (5)
4 Those in one boat heard to fall advantageously (6)
5 Call after retreating English soldier with foot soldiers (7, two words)
6 Great putter finally holes – pars are thus delivered (8)
7 Ring head of opera company about one accompanying Falstaff (6)
9 Sincere fellow in royal house (6)
11 Rush to gather a single black alpine plant (10)
19 They save you from ice affecting clear foreign seas around isle (10)
23 Occupiers look in more rarely (7)
25 Norway happening to imprison a European, an old con (8)
30 Don’t touch this pop song (7, three...
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