Ivor Armstrong Richards (1893-1979) was a British literary critic and poet, known for his influential work in the field of literary theory. He played a significant role in the development of New Criticism, which emphasized close reading and the analysis of texts without considering external factors like author intent or historical context. Richards also contributed to the study of rhetoric and semantics, exploring how language shapes meaning. His notable works include "Principles of Literary Criticism" and "The Meaning of Meaning," co-authored with Charles Kay Ogden. Through his writings, Richards helped shape modern literary criticism and the understanding of poetry.