Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was a Russian writer and dissident, born on December 11, 1918. He is best known for his works that expose the harsh realities of life in the Soviet Union, particularly his experiences in the Gulag, a system of forced labor camps. His most famous book, One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, provides a vivid account of a day in the life of a prisoner. Solzhenitsyn's writings played a significant role in raising awareness about the oppressive nature of the Soviet regime. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1970 for his contributions to literature and his courage in speaking out against injustice. He passed away on August 3, 2008.