Albert Camus (1913-1960) was a French-Algerian philosopher, author, and journalist, known for his profound contributions to existentialism and the philosophy of the absurd. Born in Mondovi, Algeria, Camus grew up in poverty and faced early hardships, including the loss of his father in World War I. He studied philosophy at the University of Algiers and later became involved in journalism and theater. Camus gained international recognition with works such as The Stranger, The Plague, and The Myth of Sisyphus, where he explored themes of meaninglessness, rebellion, and the human struggle for purpose. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1957, becoming one of the youngest recipients. Camus died in a car accident in 1960 at the age of 46, leaving behind a strange legacy as one of the most influential writers and thinkers of the 20th century.