Scott Joplin

Scott Joplin was born in 1868 in Texarkana, Texas. He settled in St. Louis in the late 1890s, where he became a central figure in the ragtime scene that was developing there.

In 1902, he composed "The Entertainer," a piece whose syncopated rhythms helped define the ragtime sound. The song became widely popular during his lifetime and has remained familiar in films and television long after.

Joplin also wrote other notable rags like "Maple Leaf Rag" from 1899 and "Fig Leaf Rag" from 1908. He worked with musicians including pianist Arthur Marshall and violinist Scott Hayden, though he primarily performed and published as a solo artist.

In 1911, he completed "Treemonisha," an opera that reflected his interest in expanding ragtime into more ambitious forms. He continued composing until his death in 1917.