Harney, Ben(jamin Robertson) (1872–1938)

US ragtime songwriter and performer. Trained in classical piano, at age 17 he composed one of the earliest ragtime songs, ‘You've Been a Good Old Wagon But You've Done Broke Down’, which became a big hit. He moved to New York City in 1896 and performed the new musical style. Before suffering a heart attack in 1928, he toured the USA, Europe, and the Far East. With the rise of jazz, ragtime declined and he died in poverty.

Harney was born in Louisville, Kentucky.