Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers was a Scottish author and occultist born on February 8, 1854. He is best known for his role in the founding of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a secret society focused on the study and practice of magic and mysticism. Mathers was instrumental in developing the order's rituals and teachings, drawing from various esoteric traditions. In addition to his work with the Golden Dawn, Mathers translated and published several important texts on the occult, including works related to Kabbalah and alchemy. His contributions significantly influenced modern Western esotericism, and he remains a notable figure in the study of magic and the occult.