Даль, or Vladimir Ivanovich Dal, was a prominent Russian lexicographer and ethnographer known for his work in compiling the Explanatory Dictionary of the Living Great Russian Language. Born in 1801, he dedicated much of his life to documenting the richness of the Russian language, including its dialects and folk expressions. His dictionary remains a significant resource for understanding the nuances of Russian vocabulary. In addition to his dictionary, Даль was also interested in Russian folklore and ethnography. He collected and published numerous tales, proverbs, and sayings that reflect the culture and traditions of the Russian people. His contributions have had a lasting impact on the study of the Russian language and literature.