Scott Joplin (November 24, 1868 - April 1, 1917) was an African-American composer and pianist, dubbed the King of Ragtime. The publication of his Maple Leaf Rag in 1899 brought him fame and a steady income for life, though he did not reach this level of success again. In 1901 Joplin moved to St. Louis, where he continued to compose and publish, and regularly performed.