Sherman Edwards (April 4, 1919 – March 30, 1981) was an American songwriter, best known for his songs from the 1969 Broadway musical 1776 and the 1972 film adaptation 1776.Edwards was born in New York City and was raised in the Weequahic section of Newark, New Jersey, where he attended Weequahic High School. He lived in Parsippany, New Jersey from 1958-1981. He attended New York University, where he majored in history. Throughout college, Edwards moonlighted, playing jazz piano for late night radio and music shows. After serving in World War II, Edwards taught high school history for a brief period before continuing his career as a pianist, playing with some of history's most famous swing bands and artists, including Louis Armstrong, Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman.