Alfred Wegener was a German meteorologist and geophysicist best known for proposing the theory of continental drift. Born in 1880, he suggested that continents were once joined together in a single landmass called Pangaea, which later broke apart and drifted to their current positions. His ideas were initially met with skepticism but laid the groundwork for modern plate tectonics. Wegener's research included evidence from various fields, such as fossils, glacial deposits, and rock formations, which supported his theory. Despite facing criticism during his lifetime, his work gained recognition after his death in 1930, significantly influencing the understanding of Earth's geological processes.