Oscar Greeley Clendenning Hammerstein II (; July 12, 1895 – August 23, 1960) was an American
librettist, theatrical producer, and (usually uncredited) theatre director of musicals for almost forty years. Hammerstein won eight
Tony Awards and two
Academy Awards for Best Original Song. Many of his songs are standard repertoire for singers and jazz musicians. He co-wrote 850 songs. Hammerstein was the
lyricist and playwright in his partnerships; his collaborators wrote the music. Hammerstein collaborated with composers
Jerome Kern,
Vincent Youmans,
Rudolf Friml,
Richard A. Whiting and
Sigmund Romberg; but his most famous collaborations, by far, were with
Richard Rodgers, and included
The Sound of Music.