Morton Gould was an American composer, conductor, and pianist. He was born in New York City in 1913, and began his career as a child prodigy, performing as a pianist and composing music at a young age. He studied at the Institute of Musical Art, which later became the Juilliard School of Music.

Gould's career as a composer spanned several decades, and he composed in a wide variety of genres, including orchestral works, ballet music, film scores, and popular songs. He was particularly known for his patriotic compositions, such as "American Salute," and his innovative use of jazz elements in classical music. He won many awards and prizes during his career, including the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1995 for his Stringmusic and the Grammy award for lifetime achievement in 1996.

In 1985-1994, he served as the President of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and in this role he was a strong advocate for the rights of composers and songwriters, and helped to create a fairer system for the distribution of royalties.

He was also a respected conductor and pianist, and he conducted many of the major orchestras in the United States, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Gould died in 1996 at the age of 83. His contributions to American music were recognized by the Kennedy Center Honors in 1985.