Ben Ryan (composer)

Bennett A. "Ben" Ryan, more commonly known by his stagename "Beethoven Ben", (March 30, 1892 – July 5, 1968) was an American songwriter who wrote the music and lyrics to the popular song "(The Gang that Sang) Heart of My Heart". He also wrote or co-wrote many other popular songs including "Inka Dinka Doo", "M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I", "No Nothing", "The Thrill of a New Romance", "When Frances Dances with Me", and "When I Send You a Picture of Berlin"^[1]

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Ryan was also a vaudeville performer, film actor and screen writer. Between 1914–1925, he teamed with Harriet Lee as the "Ryan & Lee" duo's comedy and singing-and-dancing vaudeville acts, including the hit "Won and One is Two".^[2] Following a lengthy illness, on July 5, 1968, he died at his home in Leonia, New Jersey.^[3][4]