Jean Itard was a French physician and educator, born in 1774. He is best known for his work with Victor of Aveyron, a wild boy found in the forests of France. Itard aimed to educate Victor and understand the effects of isolation on human development. Itard's methods laid the groundwork for modern special education and psychology. He emphasized the importance of sensory experiences in learning and believed that education could help individuals with disabilities. His pioneering work influenced later figures in education and psychology, including Édouard Séguin and Jean-Marc Gaspard Itard.