Ned Rorem was an American composer and writer, especially known for his songs and published diaries. Born in Richmond, Indiana, he created hundreds of songs alongside operas, symphonies, concertos and chamber music. His literary work formed a substantial second career, with books and essays reflecting his life in music and his encounters with other artists. His honors included a Fulbright Fellowship in 1951, a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1957 and recognition from the National Institute of Arts and Letters. His writing received several ASCAP-Deems Taylor Awards. Rorem’s output includes ten operas, three symphonies and four piano concertos, as well as an extensive body of music for solo piano. He died in New York in 2022.