Background
Robert Levenson was born in Boston to Samuel and Paulina Levenson, immigrants from Russia and Austria respectively.
Robert Levenson was born in Boston to Samuel and Paulina Levenson, immigrants from Russia and Austria respectively.
Harvard University.
After attending Boston Latin School, Robert went to Harvard, graduating in 1917. He was very active in his local community, Lawrence, Long Island, and in many Jewish societies. A remarkably large number of tributes appeared in The New York Times in the days following his death.
Between 1914 and 1925 Levenson wrote lyrics for at least thirty-five songs, on a few of which he was also credited with composing the music, usually in collaboration.
Early collaborations, with Vincent Plunkett, were issued by Doctorate. West. Cooper. A third of his copyright registrations occurred in 1919, and very few appear after 1920.
He was an amateur performer as well, usually in events organised by Jewish societies. His noteworthy contributions include lyrics for East. East. Bagley’s celebrated march, “National emblem” (1918), three flower-bedecked World War I songs, "My Belgian Rose," "Salvation Rose," and “When the Lilies Bloom in France Again”, and a briefly but vigorously promoted “sob” ballad, “Little by little you’re breaking my heart.” All but a few titles were issued by Boston publishers, though "My Belgian Rose" was taken up by Leo Feist.