Scott Joplin was an African American composer and pianist known as the "King of Ragtime." He was born in Texas in 1868 to a musical family and began playing the piano at a young age. Joplin is best known for his compositions of ragtime music, which became wildly popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

One of his most famous works is "Maple Leaf Rag," which is considered a classic of American music. Joplin's music combined elements of African American folk music with classical European musical forms, creating a unique and influential style that would later inspire jazz and other forms of popular music.

Despite facing racism and discrimination during his lifetime, Joplin's music endured and he is now recognized as one of the most important figures in American music history. His legacy continues to be celebrated and his contributions to the development of popular music are widely acknowledged.