Ludwig Wittgenstein was an Austrian philosopher, born in 1889, known for his work in logic, language, and the philosophy of mind. He is best known for two major works: the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus, which explores the relationship between language and reality, and the later Philosophical Investigations, which critiques his earlier ideas and emphasizes the use of language in everyday life. Wittgenstein's philosophy has had a significant impact on various fields, including linguistics, cognitive science, and artificial intelligence. He argued that the meaning of words is rooted in their use within specific contexts, leading to a deeper understanding of how language shapes our thoughts and interactions.