Oscar Hammerstein II

Oscar Hammerstein II – Life, Career, and Famous Lyrics

Oscar Hammerstein II (1895–1960) transformed American musical theater with his deeply human lyrics and groundbreaking collaboration with Richard Rodgers. Explore his biography, major works, influence, and memorable lines.

Introduction

Oscar Greeley Clendenning Hammerstein II (12 July 1895 – 23 August 1960) was an American lyricist, librettist, theatrical producer, and director whose work elevated the musical theater form.

He is probably best known as the lyricist in the legendary team Rodgers and Hammerstein, responsible for musicals including Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I, The Sound of Music, and more.

Hammerstein’s genius was to put story, character, and heartfelt emotion at the center of musicals, making songs integral to plot and emotional arc rather than just spectacle.

Early Life and Family

Oscar Hammerstein II was born in New York City on 12 July 1895 as Oscar Greeley Clendenning Hammerstein II.

He came from a theatrical lineage:

• His grandfather, Oscar Hammerstein I, was a prominent opera impresario.

• His father, William “Willie” Hammerstein, managed vaudeville theaters, notably Hammerstein’s Victoria on the New York stage.

• His mother, Alice Nimmo, came from British parentage.

Though his father was involved in theater management, he reportedly discouraged the young Oscar from entering show business.

Hammerstein attended Columbia University, and later enrolled (for a time) in Columbia Law School.

During his college years, he was active in theatrical productions (Varsity Show etc.), gradually gravitating toward writing and theater rather than law.

Career & Achievements

Early Career & Collaborations

Hammerstein’s earliest professional work came by writing lyrics and librettos, often in collaboration with others.

He worked with a variety of composers before his famous partnership with Rodgers, including:

• Jerome Kern — one of their high points was Show Boat (1927).

• Vincent Youmans

• Rudolf Friml

• Sigmund Romberg

With Kern, Hammerstein wrote shows such as Sunny, Music in the Air, Very Warm for May, and Three Sisters.

His breakthrough in shaping the modern musical came through his later work with Richard Rodgers.

Rodgers & Hammerstein & the Musical Revolution

Hammerstein’s most enduring success came from his collaboration with composer Richard Rodgers, forming the legendary duo Rodgers and Hammerstein.

Their first major work together was Oklahoma! (1943), adapted from the play Green Grow the Lilacs. Oklahoma! is often cited as one of the pivotal works that shifted the musical stage toward integrated storytelling, where songs, dialogue, and dance serve the drama rather than acting as interludes.

Other major musicals by Rodgers and Hammerstein include:

• Carousel (1945)

• Allegro (1947)

• South Pacific (1949) — which won a Pulitzer Prize for drama

• The King and I (1951)

• Me and Juliet (1953)

• Pipe Dream (1955)

• Flower Drum Song (1958)

• The Sound of Music (1959)

Hammerstein also wrote lyrics and book for Carmen Jones (an African American adaptation of Bizet’s Carmen) and the musical version of State Fair.

Through these works, Hammerstein helped solidify the idea that in musicals, songs should emerge naturally from characters’ emotions and dramatic situations.

Awards and Honors

Oscar Hammerstein II earned numerous honors during his lifetime:

• He won two Academy Awards for Best Original Song:
   • “The Last Time I Saw Paris” (1942)  • “It Might as Well Be Spring” (1946)

• He won eight Tony Awards over his career.

• His musical South Pacific received a Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

• In 1960, his contribution to The Sound of Music earned a Grammy Award posthumously.

After his passing, the Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theater was established in his honor.

He also served as President of the Dramatists Guild of America from 1956 until his death.

Personal Life & Death

Hammerstein was married twice:

• First to Myra Finn in 1917; they had two children, William (1918–2001) and Alice (1922–2015).

• After divorcing Myra in 1929, he married Dorothy Blanchard Jacobson the same year. They had one son, James (1931–1999), plus stepchildren.

Hammerstein died on 23 August 1960 from stomach cancer at his home in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

His final song, “Edelweiss”, was added during rehearsal of The Sound of Music.

As a tribute, lights in Times Square were turned off for one minute, and many Broadway theaters dimmed their lights.

He was interred (ashes buried) at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York.

Legacy & Influence

Oscar Hammerstein II shaped the modern American musical in profound ways:

• Story-driven musicals: He helped shift musical theater from light revues to serious works where plot, character, and song are fully integrated.

• A voice for social themes: Many of his works addressed social issues—such as race (in South Pacific), identity, cultural encounter (in King and I), and human dignity.

• Mentorship & influence: He influenced many younger composers and lyricists—Stephen Sondheim considered Hammerstein a guiding figure in musical theater.

• Everlasting songs: Many of Hammerstein’s lyrics have become standards—“Some Enchanted Evening”, “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, “Climb Ev’ry Mountain”, “People Will Say We’re in Love”, “Shall We Dance?”, “My Favorite Things”, and more.

• Institutional recognition: The Oscar Hammerstein Award continues to recognize significant contributions to musical theater in his name.

Selected Memorable Lyrics & Quotes

Here are some lines that reflect Hammerstein’s poetic sensibility and emotional reach:

• “People will say we’re in love.” (from Oklahoma!)

• “You’ll never walk alone.” (from Carousel)

• “Some enchanted evening, you may see a stranger.” (from South Pacific)

• “My Favorite Things.” (from The Sound of Music)

• “Climb ev’ry mountain, ford ev’ry stream … / Follow ev’ry rainbow, ’til you find your dream.” (from The Sound of Music)

Aside from his lyrics, one notable fact is: Hammerstein is the only person named “Oscar” to have ever won an Oscar (Academy Award).

Lessons & Takeaways

• Art must serve story. Hammerstein showed that songs in musicals gain power when they grow naturally from characters’ emotions and conflicts.

• Courage in tackling difficult themes. He did not shy away from embedding social commentary in musicals.

• Collaboration shapes greatness. His partnership with Rodgers is one of the most fruitful in musical theater history.

• Legacy lives beyond premieres. Many of his songs are still sung, adapted, and loved by new generations.

Conclusion

Oscar Hammerstein II transformed the musical theater world by insisting that lyrics matter, that character and story deserve dignity, and that a song should deepen with the plot. His work with Richard Rodgers remains a cornerstone of American musical culture, and his words continue to be sung around the world.

His life is a testament to devotion to craft, to the belief that theater can touch hearts and minds, and to the power of marrying music, drama, and poetry into something timeless.