Franz Brentano was an Austrian philosopher and psychologist, born in 1838. He is best known for his work in the philosophy of mind and for introducing the concept of intentionality, which refers to the idea that mental states are directed toward objects or states of affairs. Brentano's ideas significantly influenced later philosophers, including Edmund Husserl and Martin Heidegger. Brentano also contributed to the field of psychology, advocating for a scientific approach to studying mental phenomena. He emphasized the importance of empirical observation and was critical of the introspective methods used by some of his contemporaries. His work laid the groundwork for the development of modern psychology and phenomenology.