According to the Internet source given below, Charles Thompson was an American ragtime pianist who lived for the most part of his life in St. Louis, Missouri. An autodidact without notational skills, he was considered by his contemporaries to be the best living ragtime pianist. In 1916 he was involved in a massive legendary
ragtime piano competition in St. Louis whereby there were 68 participants. Amongst these included the best in St. Louis, to whit
Thomas Million Turpin and all of the famous Police Gazette contest players. He was declared the Missouri State Champion after a two week competition.
After meeting
James Price Johnson, an up-and-coming stride pianist, in 1919 his playing and compositions immediately reflected the Harlem piano sound resulting in some memorable blues tunes.
His only published work is
The Lily Rag (1914), arranged by
Artie Matthews and published by the Syndicate Music Company, St. Louis, Missouri and he is still remembered for his
Delmar Rag composed sometime in the 1910's.