George Orwell (1903–1950) was a British writer, journalist, and critic, known for his powerful works of political fiction such as Animal Farm and 1984, in which he explored themes like totalitarianism, truth, and freedom. He also wrote key essays on language and society, took part in the Spanish Civil War, and left a literary legacy marked by a clear style and a commitment to truth. His ideas remain an essential reference in contemporary debates on power and surveillance. He died in 1950 of tuberculosis.