George Gershwin, originally named Jacob Gershvin, was born on September 26, 1898, in Brooklyn, New York, to Russian-Jewish immigrant parents. From a young age, Gershwin was exposed to jazz and classical music, which significantly influenced his future compositions. He began his musical journey at age 11 when his family acquired a piano, and he quickly demonstrated a natural talent for the instrument. His piano teacher, Charles Hambitzer, recognized Gershwin's potential and introduced him to the works of great classical composers.

Gershwin's career took off in his teens when he worked as a song plugger in Tin Pan Alley, a job that honed his skills and exposed him to the music industry. In 1916, he published his first song, and in 1919, his composition "Swanee," performed by Al Jolson, became a massive hit. His first complete musical score was for the show "La, La Lucille" in 1919.

In 1924, Gershwin composed "Rhapsody in Blue," a groundbreaking orchestral work commissioned by bandleader Paul Whiteman, which blended classical music with jazz elements. This piece established Gershwin as a significant composer in both the classical and popular music worlds. That same year, he collaborated with his brother Ira Gershwin on the successful Broadway musical "Lady, Be Good!" The Gershwin brothers became a legendary team, producing hits like "Oh, Kay!" (1926), "Strike Up the Band" (1927), and "Of Thee I Sing" (1931), the latter being the first musical to win a Pulitzer Prize.

Gershwin's most ambitious work was the "folk opera" "Porgy and Bess" (1935), created with Ira and novelist DuBose Heyward. His other notable classical compositions include a piano concerto in 1925 and the tone poem "An American in Paris" in 1928.

Tragically, George Gershwin's life was cut short when he died of a brain tumor on July 11, 1937, in Hollywood, California, at the age of 38. Despite his brief career, Gershwin left an indelible mark on American music, celebrated for his ability to bridge the worlds of classical and popular music with his innovative compositions.