A centennial commemoration of the life of Scott Joplin, famed as the King of Ragtime. In this timely essay, Joplin's work is examined against a backdrop of the Progressive Era, underlining the influence of prominent figures such as Booker T. Washington, known for his pragmatic conservatism. Today, Joplin's work offers an important perspective seldom heard in the struggle for black liberation. Among eminent composers...