Bertolt Brecht was a German playwright and poet born on February 10, 1898, in Augsburg, Germany. He is best known for developing the concept of Epic Theatre, which aimed to provoke critical thinking in audiences rather than simply entertaining them. Brecht's works often addressed social and political issues, encouraging viewers to question the status quo. Throughout his career, Brecht collaborated with various artists, including composer Kurt Weill, to create influential plays such as The Threepenny Opera and Mother Courage and Her Children. He fled Germany during the rise of the Nazis and spent time in the United States before returning to East Germany, where he continued to write and direct until his death in 1956.