Joplin grew up in Texarkana, where he formed a vocal quartet, and taught mandolin and guitar. Joplin was born into a musical family of railway laborers in Northeast Texas, and developed his musical knowledge with the help of local teachers. One of his first pieces, the 'Maple Leaf Rag', became ragtime's first and most influential hit, and has been recognized as the archetypal rag.
During his brief career, he wrote 44 original ragtime pieces, one ragtime ballet, and two operas. Joplin achieved fame for his ragtime compositions and was dubbed the 'King of Ragtime Writers'. 1867/1868 – April 1, 1917) was an African-American composer and pianist.
