Rodgers, Richard

Richard Charles Rodgers (1902 - 1979) was an American composer who wrote mainly musicals. He wrote a total of 43 musicals and more than 900 songs for Broadway theatres. He is one of the most famous American composers of the 20th century and his compositions have had a significant influence on popular music. Rodgers is also known for his longtime songwriting partnership, first with lyricist Lorenz Hart and then with Oscar Hammerstein II. Rodgers was the first person to win all four of America's top awards in theater, film, recording and television - the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony - now collectively known as the EGOT.