Ernst Mayr was a prominent 20th-century biologist known for his contributions to the field of evolutionary biology. Born in 1904 in Germany, he played a key role in developing the modern synthesis of evolution, which integrated genetics with Darwin's theory of natural selection. Mayr's work emphasized the importance of species concepts and speciation processes. Throughout his career, Mayr published numerous influential books and articles, including Systematics and the Origin of Species. He also contributed to the understanding of bird taxonomy and was a strong advocate for the importance of biodiversity. Mayr passed away in 2005, leaving a lasting legacy in biology.