Cole Porter

Coleporter

Westleigh Farms farmhouse

Cole Albert Porter Yale College class of 1913

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The Lady in Blue (Mrs. Edward R. Thomas) by Emil Fuchs

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Ca' Rezzonico (Venice)

Cole Porter (June 9, 1891 – October 15, 1964) was an American composer and songwriter. Known for his sophisticated lyrics, clever rhymes, and complex forms, Porter is regarded as one of the greatest contributors to the Great American Songbook, a collection of the most important and influential American popular songs of the 20th century. His works include the musicals Kiss Me, Kate, Anything Goes, and Can-Can, as well as songs like "Night and Day", "I Get a Kick Out of You", and "You're the Top".

Early Life

Cole Porter was born in Peru, Indiana, to a wealthy family. He showed musical talent from a young age and began studying violin and piano when he was only six. Porter attended Yale University, where he wrote over 300 songs and was a member of the Scroll and Key society. After Yale, he briefly attended Harvard Law School before transferring to the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences to study music.

Career

Porter moved to Paris in the early 1920s, where he led a lavish lifestyle and wrote some of his first successful songs. His Broadway debut came in 1928 with the musical Paris, which featured the hit song "Let's Do It, Let's Fall in Love". In the 1930s and 1940s, Porter reached the peak of his career, producing hit musicals and songs that have since become standards.

Despite a serious horseback riding accident in 1937 that left him disabled and in pain for the rest of his life, Porter continued to write successful musicals. Kiss Me, Kate (1948), a musical adaptation of William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, won the first Tony Award for Best Musical.

Personal Life

Porter was openly gay among his friends and associates but led a life of discretion due to the social constraints of his era. In 1919, he married Linda Lee Thomas, a wealthy Kentucky divorcee, in a marriage of convenience that allowed him to maintain his social standing and continue his homosexual relationships privately.

Legacy

Cole Porter's music is celebrated for its wit, sophistication, and enduring popularity. His songs have been covered by countless artists and remain a significant part of American musical heritage. Porter was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970. His life and music have been the subject of numerous films and theatrical productions.

Selected Works

• Anything Goes (1934)
• Kiss Me, Kate (1948)
• Can-Can (1953)

See Also

• Great American Songbook
• List of songwriters