Arthur Dent is the main character in Douglas Adams' science fiction series, "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy." He is an ordinary human who becomes an unwitting traveler through space after Earth is destroyed to make way for a hyperspace bypass. Throughout his adventures, Arthur navigates bizarre alien cultures and encounters various characters, including Ford Prefect, a researcher for the titular guidebook. Despite his confusion and reluctance, Arthur's journey highlights themes of absurdity and the unpredictability of life in the universe.