Jean-Paul Charles Aymard Sartre (21 June 1905 – 15 April 1980), was one of the leading figures in 20th century French philosophy. He was commonly known simply as Jean-Paul Sartre was a French existentialist philosopher, playwright, novelist, screenwriter, political activist, biographer, and literary critic.

His work continues to influence fields such as Marxist philosophy, sociology, critical theory and literary studies. Sartre was also noted for his long polyamorous relationship with the feminist author and social theorist Simone de Beauvoir. He was awarded the 1964 Nobel Prize in Literature but refused.