Howard Elliott Ashman was an American playwright and lyricist. Ashman was born in Baltimore, Maryland and first studied at the Boston University and Goddard College. He later got his masters degree from Indiana University in 1974. He collaborated with Alan Menken on several works and is most widely known for several animated feature films for Disney, for which Ashman wrote the lyrics and Menken composed the music.

The partnership`s first Disney film was The Little Mermaid (1989), followed by Beauty and the Beast (1991). After his death, some of Ashman`s songs were included in another Disney film, Aladdin (1992). Howard Elliott Ashman rose to fame after his contribution to the film Beauty and the Beast, which won the hearts of many around the world. In addition, he is popularly known for his songs, which were used in Disney`s film Aladdin in 1992. Disney continues to still use his songs for their upcoming projects.