John Huss was a Czech theologian and reformer who lived in the late 14th and early 15th centuries. He is best known for his criticism of the Catholic Church and its practices, advocating for reforms that emphasized the authority of the Bible over church traditions. Huss's ideas were influenced by the earlier work of John Wycliffe, who also challenged church doctrines. Huss's teachings gained a significant following, leading to his excommunication in 1411. He was later tried for heresy and burned at the stake in 1415. His martyrdom inspired the Hussite Wars and contributed to the broader Protestant Reformation movement in Europe.