George Gershwin (1898-1937) was an American composer born in Brooklyn, New York.
Gershwin received some lessons from Rubin Goldmark, but was to a great extent self-taught.
Gershwin wrote the scores for many musical comedies including Lady Be Good, 1924; Strike up the Band, 1927; Girl Crazy, 1930; Of Thee I Sing, Pulitzer Prize play, 1931; Let 'Em Eat Cake, 1933; and the folk-opera Porgy and Bess, 1935.
Gershwin composed many orchestral pieces, notably The Rhapsody in Blue and An American in Paris, high points in the expression of American jazz.
George Gershwin died in Hollywood after a short illness.
