Robert Levenson

Robert Levenson was born in Boston to Samuel and Paulina Levenson, immigrants from Russia and Austria respectively.[1] Samuel was a tailor and shoemaker, and his son eventually took up a career in the clothing business. After attending Boston Latin School, Robert went to Harvard, graduating in 1917.[2] He subsequently moved to New York City, married Evelyn Lippmann, from Edgemere (Queens), and worked his way up in the business world; at his death he was a partner in the Purl Knit Sales Company.[3] 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 in Lawrence.

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 D. W. 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.[4] His noteworthy contributions include lyrics for E. E. 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.