Alexander Courage (born 10 December 1919, died 15 May 2008) was a 20th century American composer of music, primarily for television and motion pictures. He is probably best known for writing the theme music to the original Star Trek television series. Words were written for that theme by Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, not because Roddenberry ever expected the words to be sung, but because by claiming acknowledgement as the co-writer he earned half of the royalties from the song.