George Linus Cobb was born on August 31, 1886, in Mexico, New York, and passed away on December 25, 1942, in Brookline, Massachusetts. He was a prominent American composer known for his contributions to ragtime music, as well as marches and waltzes. Cobb studied at the School of Harmony and Composition at Syracuse University in 1905, which marked the beginning of his prolific career in music composition.

Cobb composed over 200 pieces throughout his lifetime. His most famous work, "Russian Rag," was inspired by the chord progression of Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C-sharp minor, Op.3, No.2, and became a significant hit in 1918. This success led him to write "The New Russian Rag" in 1923. Cobb frequently collaborated with lyricist Jack Yellen, and together they created several popular songs, including their first big hit, "All Aboard for Dixieland," in 1913.

In addition to composing, Cobb was involved in music journalism. He wrote a monthly column titled "Just Between You and Me" for The Tuneful Yankee, a ragtime music magazine, starting in 1917. The magazine later changed its name to Melody, where Cobb continued his contributions.

Cobb's legacy includes a wide array of compositions that have been recorded by various artists, such as the American Quartet and Billy Murray. He died of coronary thrombosis at the age of 56, leaving behind a rich catalog of music that continues to be celebrated.