1902 - 1984
Meredith Willson was an American composer, playwright, and musician, best known for creating the iconic Broadway musical "The Music Man," which premiered in 1957 and won multiple Tony Awards. Born on May 18, 1902, in Mason City, Iowa, he was also a successful conductor and wrote several other musicals and film scores, including "The Unsinkable Molly Brown." Willson's work is celebrated for its memorable melodies and contributions to American musical theater.