Dr. Aaron Beck was an American psychiatrist, widely recognized as the father of cognitive therapy. Born in 1921, he developed this therapeutic approach in the 1960s, focusing on how negative thought patterns influence emotions and behaviors. His work has significantly impacted the field of psychology and mental health treatment. Beck also created the Beck Depression Inventory, a widely used questionnaire that helps assess the severity of depression in individuals. Throughout his career, he published numerous books and articles, contributing to the understanding of cognitive distortions and their role in mental health disorders.