Scott Joplin
1868 - 1917

Scott Joplin

Scott Joplin is known as the King of Ragtime.

He was born in 1868 and died in 1917. 

He started to write his own compositions as a young man.  Two of his most famous piano rags are Maple Leaf Rag and The Entertainer. 

Scott Joplin tried to make ragtime music respectable.  He never earned the recognition he deserved in his lifetime.  More than 50 years after his death he finally got the recognition he deserved.  This recognition came when his music was featured in a motion picture called "The Sting."  This movie won an Academy Award for its film score.