Gustave Flaubert was a French novelist born on December 12, 1821, in Rouen, France. He is best known for his novel Madame Bovary, which tells the story of a woman seeking to escape her mundane life through romantic fantasies. Flaubert's writing is characterized by its meticulous style and attention to detail, making him a key figure in the literary movement of Realism. Flaubert's influence extends beyond his own works, impacting many writers and literary movements that followed. He believed in the importance of form and structure in literature, famously stating that "the art of writing is the art of discovering what you believe." He passed away on May 8, 1880, leaving behind a legacy of profound literary contributions.