Lionel Bart was a British composer and lyricist, best known for creating the musical Oliver!. Born on August 1, 1930, in London, he began his career in the 1950s and quickly gained recognition for his work in theater. His songs, such as "Consider Yourself" and "As Long As He Needs Me," became iconic and are still performed today. In addition to Oliver!, Bart wrote music for other productions, including Blitz! and Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be. Despite his early success, he faced financial difficulties later in life. Bart passed away on April 3, 1999, leaving a lasting legacy in musical theater.