Oscar Hammerstein II

Oscar Hammerstein II (born Oscar Greeley Clendenning Hammerstein) (July 12, 1895 – August 23, 1960) was an American writer, producer, and (usually uncredited) director of musicals for almost forty years. He was twice awarded an Oscar for "Best Original Song," and much of his work has been admitted into the unofficial Great American Songbook. Born in New York City, his father, William, was from a non-practicing Jew family; his mother, née Alice Nimmo, was the daughter of Scottish immigrants and their children were raised as Christians. His grandfather was the opera impresario and theater builder Oscar Hammerstein I. Although William, father of the younger Oscar, managed the Victoria Theatre for the elder Oscar and was an innovative producer of vaudeville (he is generally credited with inventing the "pie-in-the-face" routine), he was against his son's desire to participate in the arts. Oscar II entered Columbia University under their pre-law program and it was not until his father...