American lyricist (born December 6, 1896 in New York City, New York (USA), died August 17, 1983 in Beverly Hills, California (USA).
The older brother of [a=George Gershwin] and a close friend of [a=E.Y. Harburg]. The two worked together writing lyrics. Ira started his career in 1918 under the pen name of [a=Arthur Francis]. It was not until 1924 that Ira and George began a collaboration that would prove one of the most successful and prolific in history.
Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1971.
http://www.gershwin.com
http://songwritershalloffame.org/exhibits/C72
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ira_Gershwin