Nicolaus Cusanus, also known as Nicholas of Cusa, was a German philosopher, theologian, and mathematician born around 1401. He is best known for his ideas on the limits of human knowledge and the concept of learned ignorance, which suggests that true understanding comes from recognizing what we do not know. Cusanus played a significant role in the development of early modern thought. In addition to his philosophical contributions, Cusanus was also a cardinal in the Catholic Church and engaged in various diplomatic missions. His works influenced later thinkers, including Galileo and Descartes, and he is often regarded as a precursor to the Renaissance humanism movement.