Larry Stewart came from humble beginnings. Born in Mississippi in 1948, he was brought up by his grandparents. In 1971, Larry found himself jobless and starving for several days. After a free meal given by a restaurant's owner, he vowed to help others whenever he could. Larry then moved to Kansas City, where he was fortunate enough to make money in cable television. He began helping the less fortunate in 1979, and stories of ‘Secret Santa' started to emerge from the city.

For over 26 years, he handed out thousands of dollars every Christmas to the needy in public places – without ever revealing his identity. The more he gave, the more stories of his generosity spread across the United States. Secret Santa became famous, yet still anonymous.
He kept his identity hidden until 2006 when he was diagnosed with cancer, which later claimed his life. Since Larry Stewart's death in 2007, his example has inspired others to continue his mission of kindness and charitable work.

Larry Stewart came from humble beginnings. Born in Mississippi in 1948, he was brought up by his grandparents. In 1971, Larry found himself jobless and starving for several days. After a free meal given by a restaurant's owner, he vowed to help others whenever he could. Larry then moved to Kansas City, where he was fortunate enough to make money in cable television. He began helping the less fortunate in 1979, and stories of ‘Secret Santa' started to emerge from the city.

For over 26 years, he handed out thousands of dollars every Christmas to the needy in public places – without ever revealing his identity. The more he gave, the more stories of his generosity spread across the United States. Secret Santa became famous, yet still anonymous.
He kept his identity hidden until 2006 when he was diagnosed with cancer, which later claimed his life. Since Larry Stewart's death in 2007, his example has inspired others to continue his mission of kindness and charitable work.

There are three main periods in Beethoven's music career: early, middle, and late.

The beginning of his early period was in 1792 when he moved to Vienna, Austria. Beethoven quickly made a name for himself as a talented pianist. His compositions during this period consisted mainly of works for his main instrument, the piano, and were classical in nature. However, Beethoven's hearing was beginning to deteriorate during this period, and he tried to hide this fact from those around him.

In 1800, Beethoven turned from the classical forms of the previous century to more expressive or romantic music. His musical imagination began to grow beyond that of the piano. The middle period was believed to be Beethoven's greatest and most productive stage. In less than a decade, he produced countless masterpieces in every genre.

In 1809, however, his musical creativity began to decline, possibly due to his health problems and mental state. Beethoven stopped conducting and performing in public, but continued to compose - many of his most admired works were created during this period. By 1815, he was almost completely deaf and his manners became increasingly rude. In 1827, he died after a long illness. Nearly 20,000 people lined the streets of Vienna to pay their last respect to the composer who had changed the music scene of Western Europe.

There are three main periods in Beethoven's music career: early, middle, and late.

The beginning of his early period was in 1792 when he moved to Vienna, Austria. Beethoven quickly made a name for himself as a talented pianist. His compositions during this period consisted mainly of works for his main instrument, the piano, and were classical in nature. However, Beethoven's hearing was beginning to deteriorate during this period, and he tried to hide this fact from those around him.

In 1800, Beethoven turned from the classical forms of the previous century to more expressive or romantic music. His musical imagination began to grow beyond that of the piano. The middle period was believed to be Beethoven's greatest and most productive stage. In less than a decade, he produced countless masterpieces in every genre.

In 1809, however, his musical creativity began to decline, possibly due to his health problems and mental state. Beethoven stopped conducting and performing in public, but continued to compose - many of his most admired works were created during this period. By 1815, he was almost completely deaf and his manners became increasingly rude. In 1827, he died after a long illness. Nearly 20,000 people lined the streets of Vienna to pay their last respect to the composer who had changed the music scene of Western Europe.

There are three main periods in Beethoven's music career: early, middle, and late.

The beginning of his early period was in 1792 when he moved to Vienna, Austria. Beethoven quickly made a name for himself as a talented pianist. His compositions during this period consisted mainly of works for his main instrument, the piano, and were classical in nature. However, Beethoven's hearing was beginning to deteriorate during this period, and he tried to hide this fact from those around him.

In 1800, Beethoven turned from the classical forms of the previous century to more expressive or romantic music. His musical imagination began to grow beyond that of the piano. The middle period was believed to be Beethoven's greatest and most productive stage. In less than a decade, he produced countless masterpieces in every genre.

In 1809, however, his musical creativity began to decline, possibly due to his health problems and mental state. Beethoven stopped conducting and performing in public, but continued to compose - many of his most admired works were created during this period. By 1815, he was almost completely deaf and his manners became increasingly rude. In 1827, he died after a long illness. Nearly 20,000 people lined the streets of Vienna to pay their last respect to the composer who had changed the music scene of Western Europe.