Alhazen, also known as Ibn al-Haytham, was a prominent Arab scientist and philosopher born around 965 CE in Basra, present-day Iraq. He is often referred to as the "father of optics" for his groundbreaking work in the study of light and vision. His most famous book, the Book of Optics, laid the foundation for modern optics and introduced concepts such as the camera obscura. In addition to his contributions to optics, Alhazen made significant advancements in the scientific method, emphasizing experimentation and observation. His work influenced later scientists, including Galileo and Newton, and he is recognized for his role in the development of the scientific approach in the Islamic Golden Age.