Edward Browne Claypoole was born in Baltimore and showed a strong interest in playing the piano from a young age. Although he started lessons, he mostly taught himself after formal lessons were stopped early. At the age of 16, he wrote a piece called Prancin' Jimmy, which helped him gain attention as a composer. In 1903, Claypoole began working as an apprentice court clerk but continued his activities as a musician alongside this job. While working in the court system, Claypoole kept composing and performing music. His work became popular on Broadway, and he was known for several tunes, including "Alabama Jigger" and "Reuben Fox Trot." Among all his pieces, "Ragging the Scale" became his best-known work, making him famous during the ragtime music era. Despite his musical success, he chose to leave the music world later in life. Even after he stopped composing and performing music, Claypoole continued his career as a court clerk. He held that position until he passed away in 1952. His music, especially in the ragtime style, remains appreciated by audiences today, showing the lasting impact of his creative work in American music history.