Berlin, Irving (1888–1989)

Belorussian-born US songwriter. His songs include hits such as ‘Alexander's Ragtime Band’ (1911), ‘Always’ (1925), ‘God Bless America’ (1917, published 1939), and ‘White Christmas’ (1942), and the musicals Top Hat (1935), Annie Get Your Gun (1946), and Call Me Madam (1950). He also provided songs for films like Blue Skies (1946) and Easter Parade (1948). ‘White Christmas’ has been the most performed Christmas song in history, with more than 500 versions recorded.

Born in Belarus, Berlin grew up in New York and had his first song published in 1907. He began providing songs for vaudeville and revues and went on to own a theatre, the Music Box, where he appeared in his own revues in 1921 and 1923. Generally writing both lyrics and music, he was instrumental in the development of the popular song, taking it from jazz and ragtime to swing and romantic ballads.

The son of a poor Jewish cantor, Berlin learned music by ear. Many of his songs are ‘standards’, the most popular and enduring of all time. He received several awards for his patriotic songs, including an Army Medal of Merit from President Harry Truman in 1945, a Congressional Gold Medal from President Dwight D Eisenhower in 1955, and the Medal of Freedom from President Gerald Ford in 1977.