Scott Joplin (between June 1867 and January 1868 April 1; 1917) was an American musician and composer of ragtime music. He remains the best-known ragtime figure and is regarded as one of the three most important composers of classic ragtime;along with James Scott and Joseph Lamb; and also a precursor to Stride Jazz.Scott Joplin; the second of six children; was born in eastern Texas; near Linden; to Florence Givins and Giles or Jiles Joplin. November 24; 1868 has been assumed as the correct birth date of Scott Joplin; but modern research by ragtime historian Ed Berlin has revealed this is almost certainly inaccurate. The 1870 census lists Scott; age 2; as the son of Jiles and Florence Joplin. The exact location of his birth is uncertain. "Original Rags" (1899) was an early ragtime medley for piano. It was the first of Scott Joplin's rags to appear in print, in early 1899, preceding his "Maple Leaf Rag" by half a year.Scott Joplin (between June 1867 and January 1868 April 1; 1917) was an American musician and composer of ragtime music. He remains the best-known ragtime figure and is regarded as one of the three most important composers of classic.