Hans Robert Jauss was a prominent German literary theorist and critic, known for his contributions to the field of literary theory. Born in 1921, he played a significant role in the development of reception theory, which focuses on how readers interpret and engage with texts. His work emphasized the importance of the audience's experience in understanding literature. Jauss is best known for his influential book, Toward an Aesthetic of Reception, published in 1970. In this work, he argued that the meaning of a literary work is shaped by the historical and cultural context of its readers. His ideas have had a lasting impact on literary studies and continue to influence scholars today.