Hermann Minkowski was a German mathematician born on June 22, 1864, in what is now Lithuania. He is best known for his work in the field of geometry and theoretical physics, particularly for developing the concept of Minkowski space, which combines time and space into a four-dimensional continuum. This framework laid the groundwork for Albert Einstein's theory of relativity. Minkowski's contributions significantly advanced the understanding of spacetime, influencing both mathematics and physics. He introduced the idea that the geometry of spacetime could be described using mathematical structures, which helped scientists better understand the behavior of objects in motion. Minkowski passed away on January 12, 1909.