Scott Joplin

King of Ragtime Music

Scott Joplin, often referred to as the "King of Ragtime," was an influential American composer and pianist born in the late 1860s. He achieved fame for his ragtime compositions during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Joplin's most famous piece is "The Maple Leaf Rag," which was published in 1899 and became the first piece of sheet music to sell over a million copies. His work elevated ragtime from a piano bar novelty to a respected musical form. Joplin also composed operas, including "Treemonisha," which was not fully appreciated during his lifetime but later received critical acclaim. He sought to refine ragtime, contributing significantly to its development as an American art form. Scott Joplin passed away in 1917, but his legacy endures, with his music still widely performed and recognized for its intricate rhythms and melodies.