Oscar Hammerstein II Biography

Fast Facts

• In 1950, he was given the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his work on the musical "South Pacific․"
• While studying law at Columbia University, he would write lyrics for the school's varsity shows
• Quote: "The sophisticate is a man who thinks he can swim better than he can and sometimes drowns himself․ He thinks he can drive better than he really can and sometimes causes great smash-ups․"
• Is widely recognized for his collaboration with songwriter Richard Rodgers
• Would write his lyrics while standing up at an antique bookkeeper's desk
• In 1945, he became the first person named Oscar to win an Oscar award
• Served as a mentor to fellow composer Stephen Sondheim