Frederic Ranken

Frederic G. Ranken (c. 1869 – October 19, 1905, in Manhattan) was an American librettist, lyricist, and playwright for light operas and musicals staged on Broadway from 1899 through 1907. His greatest success was the libretto for Reginald De Koven's 1905 comic opera Happyland. He also wrote libretti for composers Victor Herbert and Ludwig Engländer, and was a lyricist for composers Alfred Baldwin Sloane and Gustave Kerker among others. As a playwright he wrote the books for several musicals.

Life and career Frederic G. Ranken was born in Troy, New York, the son of the owner of an electrical works in that city. He was also the librettist for Ludwig Engländer's opera The Jewel of Asia (1903, Criterion Theatre) and Reginald De Koven's Happyland (1905, Lyric Theatre); the latter the greatest success of his career.

Ranken wrote both the book and lyrics for several Broadway musicals, including The Chaperons (1902, composer Isidore Witmark); Nancy Brown (1903, composer Henry K. Hadley); and The Gingerbread Man (1905, composer Alfred Baldwin Sloane. He also was a lyricist for songs written by Gustave Kerker for the 1903 musical Winsome Winnie which was staged at the Casino Theatre.

Ranken died of yellow fever at the age of 36 in Manhattan on October 19, 1905.