James Hillman was an American psychologist and the founder of archetypal psychology, a school of thought that emphasizes the importance of myths and archetypes in understanding the human psyche. He was born on April 12, 1926, and passed away on October 27, 2011. Hillman believed that psychology should focus on the soul and its deeper meanings rather than just symptoms and diagnoses. Throughout his career, Hillman wrote numerous books, including The Soul's Code, where he introduced the concept of the "acorn theory," suggesting that each person has a unique potential that unfolds over time. His work has influenced various fields, including depth psychology, literature, and philosophy, encouraging a more poetic and imaginative approach to understanding human experience.