Cole Porter

Witty American composer and songwriter known for sophisticated Broadway standards.

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:
Cole Porter
Role / Field:
Witty American composer and songwriter known for sophisticated Broadway standards.
Born:
1891-06-09
Died:
1964-10-15
Century / Era:
1891s Historical Era
Database Source:
2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Foundations

Cole Albert Porter (June 9, 1891 – October 15, 1964) was an American composer and songwriter. Many of his songs became standards noted for their witty, urbane lyrics, and many of his scores found success on Broadway and in Hollywood films. Born to a wealthy family in Indiana, Porter defied his grandfather's wishes for him to practice law and took up music as a profession. Classically trained, he was drawn to musical theatre.

Key Developments & Impact

After a slow start, he began to achieve success in the 1920s, and by the 1930s he was one of the major songwriters for the Broadway musical stage. Unlike many successful Broadway composers, Porter wrote the lyrics as well as the music for his songs. After a serious horseback riding accident in 1937, Porter was left disabled and in constant pain, but he continued to work. His shows of the early 1940s did not contain the lasting hits of his best work of the 1920s and 1930s, but in 1948 he made a triumphant comeback with his most successful musical, Kiss Me, Kate. It won the first Tony Award for Best Musical.

Enduring Legacy

Porter's other musicals include Fifty Million Frenchmen, DuBarry Was a Lady, Anything Goes, Can-Can and Silk Stockings. His hit songs include "Night and Day"...

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

  1. 1891 (1891-06-09): Birth of Cole Porter — Witty American composer and songwriter known for sophisticated Broadway standards.
  2. 1937: 1937 Milestone — After a serious horseback riding accident in 1937, Porter was left disabled and in constant pain, but he continued to work.
  3. 1948: 1948 Milestone — His shows of the early 1940s did not contain the lasting hits of his best work of the 1920s and 1930s, but in 1948 he made a triumphant comeback with his most successful musical, Kiss Me, Kate.
  4. 1964 (1964-10-15): Passing & Historical Legacy — Cole Porter passed away on 1964-10-15, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Notable Quotes by Cole Porter

“I've always been a lover of the night and day.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Cole Porter

True or False: “Cole Porter's career was solely focused on writing songs for Hollywood film musicals.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While he wrote for Hollywood, his primary success and lasting legacy were rooted in Broadway and the West End musical theatre stage.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

  • A. P. Elkin — Contemporary (Born in 1891) (1891): Influential Australian anthropologist and Anglican clergyman (1891–1979)
  • Alexander Rodchenko — Contemporary (Born in 1891) (1891): Pioneering Constructivist artist, photographer, and designer of the Soviet era.
  • Antonio Gramsci — Contemporary (Born in 1891) (1891): Italian Marxist philosopher known for his theory of cultural hegemony.
  • Abedi Pele — Contemporary (Born in 1964) (1964): Legendary Ghanaian footballer, celebrated for his attacking prowess and leadership.
  • Adam Yauch — Contemporary (Born in 1964) (1964): Founding member of Beastie Boys; influential rapper, filmmaker, and Tibetan activist.
  • Alexander Archipenko — Contemporary (Died in 1964) (1964): Ukrainian-American avant-garde sculptor, pioneer of Cubist human figures.
  • Aaron Sorkin — Shared historical date (06-09 · Born) (1961): Master of fast-paced dialogue, known for 'walk and talk' storytelling.
  • Adam West — Shared historical date (06-09 · Died) (2017): American actor best known for portraying Batman in the 1960s and extensive voice work.
  • A. P. J. Abdul Kalam — Shared historical date (10-15 · Born) (1931): Visionary aerospace engineer, scientist, and former President of India.
  • Abd al-Rahman III — Shared historical date (10-15 · Died) (961): Founder of the Caliphate of Córdoba, a period of immense Islamic cultural zenith.
  • 1891 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1891
  • June 9 (06-09) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on June 9
  • 1964 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1964
  • October 15 (10-15) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on October 15

Frequently Asked Questions about Cole Porter

Who was Cole Porter and what are their primary contributions?

Witty American composer and songwriter known for sophisticated Broadway standards. Origins & Foundations: Cole Albert Porter (June 9, 1891 – October 15, 1964) was an American composer and songwriter. Many of his songs became standards noted for their witty, urbane lyrics, and many of his scores found success on Broadway and in Hollywood films. Born to a wealthy family in Indiana, Porter defied his grandfather's wishes for him to practice law and took up music as a profession. Classically trained, he was drawn to musical theatre.

When was Cole Porter born and during which historical era did they live?

Cole Porter was born on 1891-06-09 and passed away on 1964-10-15. For complete historical world events during this era, explore the 1891 Chrono-Archive.

Where can I read more verified chronological archives on Cole Porter?

Explore verified primary sources, interactive timelines, and contemporary figures in the 2Day Chrono-Wiki encyclopedia or review the original entry on Wikipedia.

Source: Wikipedia