Pyotr Kropotkin was a Russian philosopher, geographer, and political activist born in 1842. He is best known for his contributions to the theory of anarchism, advocating for a society based on voluntary cooperation and mutual aid. Kropotkin believed that humans are naturally inclined to work together for the common good, challenging the idea that competition is the primary driver of social progress. Kropotkin's most influential work, Mutual Aid: A Factor of Evolution, argues that cooperation is essential for survival and development in both human societies and the animal kingdom. He was also involved in the Russian Revolution and spent much of his life promoting his ideas through writing and activism, becoming a key figure in the anarchist movement.