Lionel Bart

British writer and composer of pop music and musicals. Best known for creating the book, music and lyrics for the musical Oliver! (1960), he played an instrumental role in the 1960s birth of the British musical theatre scene after an era when American musicals had dominated the West End. He won Broadway's 1963 Tony Award as Best Composer and Lyricist for "Oliver!," a show for which he also received two other Tony nominations: as Best Author (Musical) and as author of book, music and lyrics as part of a Best Musical nomination. Born: August 1, 1930 in Stepney, London, England. Died: April 3, 1999 in Acton, London, England.