Jacques Le Goff was a prominent French historian born on August 1, 1924, and passed away on April 1, 2014. He is best known for his work on the Middle Ages, focusing on the cultural and social aspects of this period. Le Goff was a key figure in the Annales School of historical writing, which emphasized long-term social history over traditional political narratives. Throughout his career, Le Goff published numerous influential books, including "The Birth of Purgatory" and "Medieval Civilization." His research often explored themes such as medieval thought, religion, and the role of art in society. Le Goff's contributions significantly shaped the understanding of the medieval era in historical scholarship.