During the decades before and after World War II, no American lyricist captured the sentiments of working- class people as vividly as Harold Rome. Whether in his musicals or revues, whether protesting against the shortcomings of democracy or celebrating the American spirit, Rome found a way of expressing the voice of the common people. He often achieved this goal with humor and dignity rather than through speechifying or bitterness.

Harold Jacob Rome was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on 27 May 1908, the son of Louis Rome, owner of the Connecticut Coal and Charcoal Company, and Ida (Aronson) Rome. As a young boy he showed a musical talent at the piano, but the family had more-serious plans for him. After being graduated from high school in 1924, he attended Trinity College for two years and played piano in local dance bands in Hartford. He attended Yale University from 1926 through 1929, where he studied...