Julio Cortázar was an Argentine writer born on August 26, 1914, in Brussels, Belgium. He is best known for his innovative and experimental approach to literature, particularly in the genre of short stories and novels. His most famous works include Hopscotch and Blow-Up and Other Stories, which showcase his unique narrative style and imaginative storytelling. Cortázar was a key figure in the Latin American literary boom of the 1960s and 1970s, influencing many writers with his unconventional techniques. He often blended reality with fantasy, challenging traditional narrative structures. Cortázar passed away on February 12, 1984, in Paris, France, leaving a lasting legacy in world literature.