Scott Joplin, born on November 24, 1868, in Texas, was an influential American composer and pianist, known as the “King of Ragtime.” He created over 40 ragtime pieces, two operas, and one ballet. His most famous work, the “Maple Leaf Rag,” published in 1899, became a significant hit and is often considered the essence of ragtime music. While Joplin loved ragtime, he envisioned it as a sophisticated genre to be played in concert halls, rather than in the noisy saloons.

Growing up in a musical family, he developed his talent early. In the late 1880s, Joplin toured the Southern United States, and his career was boosted when he attended the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893. By 1901, Joplin was settling in St. Louis, where he taught piano and published many of his famous compositions. Despite struggles with finances and health later in life, Joplin’s music remained influential, leading to a revival of his works in the 1970s, ultimately securing his legacy as a pivotal figure in American music history.