Scott Joplin
Early Life
Scott Joplin was born in the late 1860s in Northeast Texas. His exact birthdate and location are not known, but it is believed he was born in 1867 or 1868, near Linden, Texas. His father, Giles Joplin, was a former slave, and his mother, Florence Givens, was a freeborn African American woman. Joplin was the second of six children.
Joplin's family moved to Texarkana when he was a young child. His parents were musical, and they encouraged their children to play music. Joplin's mother cleaned houses for a living, and she would often take him along with her. He would play the piano in the homes where she worked, and this is how he received his first music lessons.
Musical Education
Joplin's talent was recognized by a local German music teacher, Julius Weiss, who gave him free music lessons. Weiss introduced Joplin to classical music and opera, and he taught him music theory, keyboard technique, and sight-reading. This classical training set Joplin apart from many other ragtime musicians.
Joplin left home in the late 1880s to pursue a career in music. He traveled around the Midwest, performing in various music groups and honing his skills as a pianist and composer. He eventually settled in Sedalia, Missouri, where he attended the George R. Smith College for Negroes. Although the college's records do not survive, it is believed that Joplin studied music there.
Career
Joplin's career took off in the 1890s, when he began publishing his compositions and performing in the Midwest and the South. His first published piece was "The Maple Leaf Rag," which became a hit and established Joplin as the "King of Ragtime." He followed this success with other popular rags, such as "The Entertainer," "Elite Syncopations," and "Peacherine Rag."
Joplin moved to St. Louis in 1901, where he continued to compose and publish music. He also began working on his first opera, "A Guest of Honor," which is now lost. In 1907, Joplin moved to New York City to find a publisher for his second opera, "Treemonisha." However, he was unable to find a publisher and ended up self-publishing the opera.
Later Life and Death
Joplin's health began to decline in the late 1910s, and he was admitted to a mental institution in 1916. He died on April 1, 1917, from syphilis-related complications. He was buried in an unmarked grave in the St. Michael's Cemetery in East Elmhurst, Queens. In 1974, a headstone was finally placed on his grave by the Scott Joplin International Ragtime Foundation.
Legacy
Joplin's music fell into obscurity after his death, but it was rediscovered in the 1970s during the ragtime revival. His opera "Treemonisha" was finally performed in full in 1972, and it was awarded the Pulitzer Prize Special Citation in 1976. Today, Joplin is recognized as one of the most important American composers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His music continues to be performed and recorded, and his life and work have been the subject of numerous books and films.