Percival Lowell was an American astronomer born in 1855, known for his studies of Mars. He founded the Lowell Observatory in Arizona in 1894, where he conducted extensive research on the planet, believing he had discovered a network of canals that suggested the presence of intelligent life. Lowell's theories about Mars sparked public interest and debate, influencing science fiction and popular culture. Although later observations disproved his canal theory, his work laid the groundwork for future planetary studies and contributed to the understanding of Mars and its features. He passed away in 1916.