Tom Turpin facts for kids
Thomas Million John Turpin (born November 18, 1871 – died August 13, 1922) was an American composer who wrote ragtime music. He was known for his lively piano pieces.
Early Life and Music
Tom Turpin was born in Savannah, Georgia. His parents were John L. Turpin and Lulu Waters Turpin. When he was in his early twenties, he moved to St. Louis, Missouri. There, he opened a saloon. This saloon became a popular place for piano players to meet and share their music. It was important for the early development of ragtime music. Musicians like Joe Jordan often visited.
Tom Turpin is famous for publishing "Harlem Rag" in 1897. This was the first ragtime song published by an African-American composer. He had actually composed it by 1892, even before ragtime became widely known at the 1893 World's Fair. Some of his other well-known ragtime songs include "Bowery Buck," "Ragtime Nightmare," "St. Louis Rag," and "The Buffalo Rag."
A Big Man with Big Influence
Turpin was a very tall and strong man. He was about six feet (1.83 meters) tall and weighed around 300 pounds (136 kg). Because of his size, his piano had to be placed on blocks. This allowed him to play it while standing up, as his stomach would get in the way otherwise.
Besides running his saloon and writing music, Tom Turpin also managed other businesses with his brother Charles. These included a theater and dance halls. He also worked as a deputy constable, which is like a police officer. Turpin was one of the first African-American leaders in St. Louis to have political power. Because of his big impact on local music, people called him the "Father of St. Louis Ragtime."
When Was Tom Turpin Born?
The exact year of Tom Turpin's birth is a bit of a mystery. Some records say 1871, while others say 1873. His gravestone simply shows 1871. The 1900 government census for St. Louis listed his birth as "November 1871." However, on a special card he filled out for the draft, he wrote November 18, 1874. Despite these different dates, many historians believe he was born in 1873.
See also
- List of ragtime composers
