Leonard B. Meyer was an influential American musicologist and philosopher, known for his work in the field of music theory and aesthetics. Born on September 17, 1918, he contributed significantly to the understanding of how music communicates emotions and meaning. His most notable work, "Emotion and Meaning in Music," published in 1956, explores the relationship between musical structure and emotional expression. Meyer was also a professor at the University of Chicago and later at Northwestern University, where he influenced many students and scholars. His ideas have had a lasting impact on the study of music, bridging the gap between musicology and philosophy.