Jean-François Champollion was a French scholar and linguist born on December 23, 1790. He is best known for deciphering the Rosetta Stone, which was crucial in understanding ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. His work laid the foundation for modern Egyptology and opened the door to the study of ancient Egyptian culture and history. Champollion's breakthrough came in 1822 when he announced that he had successfully translated the hieroglyphs. His ability to recognize the phonetic nature of the script allowed him to unlock the language, revealing the rich history of ancient Egypt. He passed away on March 4, 1832, but his contributions continue to influence the field today.