Henry George was an American economist and social reformer born in 1839. He is best known for his book, *Progress and Poverty*, published in 1879, where he argued that land value taxation could address economic inequality and promote social justice. George believed that the value of land should be shared among the community rather than being privately owned. His ideas influenced various movements, including the Progressive Era in the United States and the Georgist movement, which advocates for land value taxation. George's work continues to inspire discussions on economic reform and the relationship between land ownership and wealth distribution.