Cleanth Brooks was an influential American literary critic and scholar, known for his work in the field of New Criticism. Born in 1906, he played a significant role in shaping the study of poetry and literature during the mid-20th century. Brooks emphasized the importance of close reading and the analysis of texts without considering external factors like the author's biography or historical context. He is best known for his book, The Well Wrought Urn, published in 1947, which explores the structure and meaning of poetry. Brooks argued that a poem's value lies in its form and language, advocating for a deeper understanding of literary works through careful examination of their elements.