Italo Calvino was an Italian writer born on October 15, 1923, in Cuba and raised in Italy. He is best known for his imaginative and playful storytelling, often blending fantasy with reality. His works explore themes of identity, memory, and the nature of literature itself. Calvino's most famous books include Invisible Cities, If on a winter's night a traveler, and The Baron in the Trees. He was a prominent figure in the literary movement known as Postmodernism, which challenged traditional narrative structures and embraced metafiction. Calvino passed away on September 19, 1985, leaving a lasting impact on literature.