Biography
Irving Berlin, born Israel Isidor Baline on May 11, 1888, in Mogilev, Belarus, Russian Empire, was a renowned composer, songwriter, author, and publisher known for classics like "God Bless America," "Always," "Blue Skies," and "White Christmas." He immigrated to the United States at age 5 and was educated in New York's public schools. His initial musical training came from his father, a cantor. Berlin received honorary degrees from Bucknell University and Temple University. He began his career as a song-plugger for publisher Harry von Tilzer while working as a singing waiter in Chinatown. In 1909, he joined the Ted Snyder Company as a staff lyricist and became a partner four years later.
Starting in 1910, Berlin performed in vaudeville shows in the U.S. and internationally and appeared alongside Snyder in the Broadway musical "Up and Down Broadway," which ran for 72 performances. He was a founding member of ASCAP in 1914 and served on its first board of directors from 1914 to 1918. During World War I, Berlin served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army infantry at Camp Upton, New York. After the war, he founded his own public-relations firm and, in 1921, co-built the 1,025-seat Music Box Theatre at 239 W. 45th Street, New York, with Sam H. Harris. Following Harris's death in 1941, Berlin took full ownership, and the theatre remains a Broadway landmark.
Berlin received numerous honors, including the Medal for Merit for the 1942 all-soldier production "This Is the Army," which toured across the U.S., Europe, and the South Pacific, with all proceeds directed to Army Emergency Relief and other service organizations. He was also a member of the French Legion of Honor and was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for "God Bless America," with proceeds benefiting the God Bless America Fund. His songs were performed by stars such as Fred Astaire, Al Jolson, Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, Dick Powell, and Alice Faye. Irving Berlin passed away from natural causes at the age of 101 on September 22, 1989, in New York City.
