Octave Mirbeau was a French author and playwright born on February 16, 1848, in Tréport, France. He is best known for his novel Le Jardin des supplices (The Garden of Tortures), which explores themes of suffering and human nature. Mirbeau was also a prominent art critic and a passionate advocate for social reform. Throughout his career, Mirbeau wrote extensively, producing novels, essays, and plays that often critiqued the societal norms of his time. His works reflect his interest in naturalism and symbolism, and he was associated with the Decadent movement. Mirbeau passed away on February 16, 1917, leaving a lasting impact on French literature.