Cole Porter

Cole Porter
unattributed, see link · Public domain · source
Name	Cole Porter
Caption	Porter in 1946
Birth date	June 9, 1891
Birth place	Peru, Indiana
Death date	October 15, 1964
Death place	Santa Monica, California
Occupation	Composer, lyricist
Spouse	Linda Lee Thomas (m. 1919; died 1954)
Education	Worcester Academy, Yale University, Harvard Law School, Harvard University

Cole Porter. He was an American composer and lyricist whose sophisticated, witty, and urbane songs defined the golden age of Broadway and Hollywood musicals. Born into wealth in Indiana, Porter crafted a unique musical style that blended complex melodies with clever, often risqué lyrics, producing a catalog of standards that remain cornerstones of the Great American Songbook. His work for landmark shows like Anything Goes and Kiss Me, Kate and his enduring contributions to popular music have cemented his legacy as one of the most important figures in 20th-century American music.

Early life and education

Born in 1891 in Peru, Indiana, he was the grandson of a wealthy speculator and was raised in a privileged, Methodist household. His mother, Kate Cole Porter, encouraged his musical talents from an early age, and he began studying the violin and piano by age six. He attended Worcester Academy in Massachusetts before enrolling at Yale University in 1909, where he wrote fight songs for the Yale Bulldogs and became a member of the prestigious Scroll and Key society. Although he later attended Harvard Law School, he soon transferred to the Harvard University music department at the urging of the dean, who recognized his extraordinary talent for composition.

Broadway and Hollywood career

Porter's early attempts on Broadway, such as the 1916 revue See America First, were failures, leading him to travel and live extravagantly in Europe throughout the 1920s. His breakthrough came with the 1928 musical *Paris*, which introduced the hit "Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love)." The 1930s marked his peak period, with a string of successful shows including *The Gay Divorce* (featuring "Night and Day"), Anything Goes ("I Get a Kick Out of You," "You're the Top"), and *Jubilee* ("Begin the Beguine"). He concurrently worked in Hollywood, contributing scores to films like *Born to Dance* and *Rosalie*. After a serious riding accident in 1937, he returned triumphantly with Kiss Me, Kate in 1948, which won the first Tony Award for Best Musical, and later wrote for *Can-Can* and the film *High Society*.

Musical style and influences

His sophisticated compositions were marked by intricate melodies, unexpected modulations, and complex chord progressions that drew upon both the Tin Pan Alley tradition and the harmonic language of composers like Igor Stravinsky. Lyrically, he was renowned for his wit, double entendres, cosmopolitan references, and polished rhyme schemes, setting a new standard for theatrical songwriting. While influenced by the works of Irving Berlin and Jerome Kern, his own style exerted a profound influence on later songwriters such as Stephen Sondheim. His songs, including "What Is This Thing Called Love?" and "Love for Sale," often explored themes of romantic love and sophistication with a uniquely bittersweet and worldly perspective.

Personal life

In 1919, he married the wealthy Kentucky-born socialite Linda Lee Thomas, a largely companionate marriage that provided social cover for his homosexuality while offering mutual affection and support. He maintained a discreet but active gay life, with long-term relationships including architect Ed Tauch and dancer Boris Kochno. The 1937 horseback riding accident on Long Island left him with chronic pain and required over thirty surgeries, eventually leading to the amputation of his right leg in 1958. He and his wife divided their time among luxurious residences in New York, Paris, and Williamstown, and he was known for hosting lavish parties attended by figures from high society and the arts.

Legacy and honors

His contributions to American music have been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. The 1948 musical Kiss Me, Kate continues to be revived internationally, and his songs are frequently recorded by jazz and pop artists, from Ella Fitzgerald on her Cole Porter Songbook to modern interpreters. Major biographical works, including the 1946 film *Night and Day* and the 2004 feature De-Lovely, have explored his life, while institutions like the Yale University library hold extensive archives of his work. He is universally regarded as a master of the theatrical song, whose sophisticated and enduring output forms a vital pillar of 20th-century popular music.

Category:American composers Category:American lyricists Category:People from Peru, Indiana