It Doesn't Take A Genius To Figure It Out

We've all heard of the MacArthur Genius Grant: $500,000 over five years no strings attached, to be given to the brightest stars of our time. Nice.

Reginald Robinson, Chicago (!) composer, won one in 2004 for his "hauntingly lyrical" original rags. He's considered the leading composer of 21st century rag AND the foremost expert of ragtime history - not bad for someone who dropped out of high school (or for - well, anyone). He's had a whole slew of engagements since his win, many of which he admits would not have happened without the MacArthur. But at the end of the day, where did this award really get Robinson, or ragtime for that matter? "'Even with the MacArthur 'genius' title … I'm invisible,' says Robinson in a characteristically gentle, soft-spoken voice."

(via metafilter)