George Gershwin Childhood & Family (1898-1916) George's parents, Morris and Rosa, were immigrants who came to America from St Petersburg in 1891. George Gershwin was born Jacob Gershwine on September 26, 1898 in Brooklyn, New York. The son of immigrant parents, George became one of America's first premier composers. George had two brothers, Arthur and Ira, and one sister, Francis (Frankie). Although George is the most well known of the family, his brother Ira was also a successful …showed first 75 words of 481 total…

…showed last 75 words of 481 total…became more serious and chronic. When George started to forget portions of his compositions while performing them, his friends and family encouraged him to see a physician. Doctors informed him that he had a brain tumour and suggested emergency surgery. Doctors who specialized in this form of cancer surgery were to be flown in to California to perform the potentially life saving operation. Unfortunately, George did not survive surgery and died on July 11, 1937 in Hollywood.