Anselm Strauss was an American sociologist known for his contributions to qualitative research and social theory. He co-developed the grounded theory methodology, which emphasizes generating theories from data collected in the field. Strauss's work focused on understanding social processes and interactions, particularly in healthcare and illness. Strauss collaborated with Juliet Corbin to further refine grounded theory, making it a widely used approach in social sciences. His research explored topics such as symbolic interactionism and the dynamics of social life, influencing how sociologists study human behavior and relationships in various contexts.