Fields, Dorothy, 1905-1974

Dorothy Fields, lyricist and librettist, was born in Allenhurst, New Jersey, July 15, 1905. She was the daughter of Lew Fields, comedian and producer, and Rose (Harris) Shoenfeld. Her first well known song was "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," which she wrote with James McHugh in 1928. She collaborated extensively with her brother Herbert Fields, who also was a librettist. Their most famous production was "Annie Get Your Gun," produced in 1946. Her other brother Joseph Fields was a dramatic actor, producer, and playwright. She was married in 1938 to Eli Lahm and they had two children, David and Eliza. She also collaborated with: Jerome Kern, Harold Arlen, Sigmund Romberg, Burton Lane, Arthur Schwartz, Fritz Kreisler, Morton Gould, Cy Coleman, Albert Hague, Oscar Levant, Harry Warren, and her son David Fields Lahm. Dorothy Fields is probably best known for having written the lyrics to "Sweet Charity." She was a representative of the Dramatists' Guild on the Council of the Authors' League of America, secretary of the Dramatists' Guild, and one of the few women members of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. She died in 1974 in New York City.

From the guide to the Dorothy Fields papers, 1911-1977, (The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.)

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