Irving Berlin (born
Israel Isidore Baline, May 11, 1888 – September 22, 1989) was an American
composer and
lyricist, widely considered one of the greatest songwriters in American history. His music forms a great part of the
Great American Songbook. Born in
Imperial Russia, Berlin arrived in the United States at the age of five. He published his first song, "Marie from Sunny Italy", in 1907, receiving 33 cents for the publishing rights, and had his first major international hit, "
Alexander's Ragtime Band" in 1911. He also was an owner of the
Music Box Theatre on
Broadway.