David J. Thouless was a British physicist known for his significant contributions to condensed matter physics. Born on April 4, 1934, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2016 for his work on topological phases of matter, which has important implications in various fields, including quantum computing. Thouless studied at the University of Cambridge and later held positions at several prestigious institutions, including the University of Washington. His research has influenced the understanding of phenomena such as superconductivity and quantum Hall effects, making him a key figure in modern physics.