Arnold van Gennep was a French ethnographer and folklorist, best known for his work on rites of passage. Born in 1873, he published his influential book, Les Rites de Passage, in 1909, where he outlined the stages individuals go through during significant life transitions, such as birth, marriage, and death. His framework includes three phases: separation, transition, and incorporation. Van Gennep's ideas have had a lasting impact on anthropology and sociology, influencing scholars like Victor Turner and Mary Douglas. His work emphasizes the importance of rituals in marking changes in social status and identity, contributing to our understanding of cultural practices worldwide.