Although Scott Joplin did not originate ragtime, the genre for which he became famous, his biographer Edward Berlin said, "He composed music unlike any ever before written." Joplin's most famous composition, "Maple Leaf Rag," was published while he was living in Sedalia, Missouri. It was named after the Maple Leaf Club; the date the club was founded is uncertain, but it was no later than November 24, 1898, when the first Maple Leaf ball was held. It is possible that the actual music predates this.
"Maple Leaf Rag" was published between August 10 and September 20, 1899, the latter being the date the score was received by the Copyright Office. It made Joplin's name, his future works would be prefixed as by the composer of the "Maple Leaf Rag."
On August 10, 1900, Joplin signed a contract which gave him a one cent per copy royalty, which would be extremely profitable for both him and his estate. Though he died in 1917, "Maple Leaf Rag" was recorded no less than six times in the 1920s. There is also at least one recording extant of Joplin playing the piece himself.
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