George Pólya was a Hungarian mathematician born on December 13, 1887, and he passed away on September 7, 1985. He is best known for his work in mathematical analysis, combinatorics, and probability theory. Pólya made significant contributions to problem-solving techniques and is famous for his book, "How to Solve It," which outlines a systematic approach to tackling mathematical problems. In addition to his research, Pólya was a dedicated educator and influenced many students during his time at institutions like Stanford University. His ideas on heuristics and mathematical thinking continue to be relevant in teaching and learning mathematics today.