2 Quotes & Sayings By Otis Blackwell
Otis Blackwell was born in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1892. He began his career as a music publisher while still in his teens, and worked with several nationally known composers, including George Gershwin, Eubie Blake, and Duke Ellington. Regarded as one of the most successful music publishers of the twentieth century, he produced hundreds of songs for Philadelphia-based firms. As president of Charles Blanchard & Co., Blackwell expanded the firm's operations into other fields during the 1930s
Throughout his life he remained committed to education. He was an original member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania where he served from 1942 to 1967. Blackwell also founded the Blanchard Foundation in 1984 to promote cultural and educational programs in South Philadelphia.