Collection in Focus: Scott Joplin's Maple Leaf Rag

Scott Joplin—the "King of Ragtime"—played a critical role in the spread of the American music phenomenon not only through his wildly popular compositions, but also through his dedication to capturing these works on paper for posterity. In this video, Robinson McClellan, Assistant Curator of Music Manuscripts and Printed Music, explains why Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag" remains a cut above the rest.