Oscar Hammerstein II

July 12, 2012

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On this date in 1895, Oscar Hammerstein II was born in New York City. Hammerstein grew up immersed in theater culture. His grandfather and namesake, Oscar Hammerstein I, worked in theatre and opera along with his father and his uncle, Arthur Hammerstein, a well-known producer. While attending Columbia University (1912–1917), Hammerstein joined the Columbia University Players, beginning his prolific career in theater. He wrote the book and lyrics for the noted production “Show Boat” (1927), working with Jerome Kern (also a nonbeliever). An accomplished writer and lyricist, he teamed up with atheist Richard Rodgers to create Broadway classics such as “Oklahoma!” (1943), “South Pacific” (1949), “The King and I” (1951) and “The Sound of Music” (1959). Rodgers and Hammerstein won the 1944 Pulitzer Prize for “Oklahoma!” and the 1950 Pulitzer Prize for “South Pacific.” He married Dorothy Jacobson in 1929 and had three children: William, Alice and James.

Hammerstein was raised in very secular Judaism: his Jewish father did not practice any religious traditions or customs or give Hammerstein any religious education. Although Hammerstein did not specify his religious views, he was nonreligious. He did not attend church or synagogue, wrote no religious music and requested a secular funeral. D. 1960.

“Oscar Hammerstein II [was] nonreligious.”

— Dan Barker, The Good Atheist, 2010

Compiled by Sabrina Gaylor (FFRF)