Scott Joplin was known as the king of ragtime. He was born to a former slave on November 24, 1868 near Linden, Texas. He stayed in Texas until the 1880’s when he moved to St. Louis. While studying there he formalized ragtime. This style can be described as a unique blend of European classical styles with a taste of African American harmony and rhythm. Throughout the 1890’s Scott Joplin wrote some of his most famous songs in Missouri. Lat