Rudolf Hilferding was an influential Austrian economist and politician, born in 1877. He is best known for his work on the theory of finance capital, which explores the relationship between finance and industrial capital. Hilferding was a prominent member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany and contributed significantly to Marxist economic theory. In addition to his economic theories, Hilferding was involved in politics and was a key figure in the Second International. His notable work, "Finance Capital," published in 1910, analyzed the role of banks and financial institutions in the capitalist system, shaping future discussions on economic policy and theory.