George Gershwin
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There are many different tales about how George Gershwin got his name. One source says that the doctor made a mistake on his birth certificate. Others say that later on in life George (formerly Jacob Gershvin) made a conscious decision to change his name. Gershwin was born on September 26th, 1898 to Rose and Morris Gershvin. Originally Rose and Morris' last name was formerly Gershovitz, but was probably changed to Gershvin by an immigration official upon Morris' arrival from Russia. At home the children are called by their American names, therefore Jacob becomes George. Later on he changes the family name from Gershvin to Gershwin and the rest of the family follows.
Contrary to stories of growing up in poverty, the Gershwin children (Ira, George, Arthur and Frances) grew up in a middle-class family and were well provided for. They grew up in the predominately Jewish Lower East side of Manhattan.
The Gershwin's acquired a piano in 1910 for older brother Ira, but George soon took a liking to it more than Ira...