Leslie, Edgar

Edgar Leslie Prolific lyricist of the 1920s and 1930s Stamford, Connecticut, December 31, 1885; New York City, January 22, 1976. Leslie was raised in New York City, and at a young age began writing lyrics for vaudeville singers. He had his first published songs in 1909, including “Saide Salome,” written with new composer Irving Berlin. Two years later, he partnered with composer Lewis Muir on three Ragtime songs, “The Matrimony Rag” and the snappy “When Ragtime Rosie Ragged the Rosary,” both…