Stendhal was the pen name of the French author Henri Beyle, born in 1783. He is best known for his novels, particularly The Red and the Black and The Charterhouse of Parma, which explore themes of love, ambition, and the complexities of human nature. Stendhal's writing style is characterized by its psychological depth and vivid descriptions. Stendhal was also a prominent critic of art and literature, contributing to the understanding of romanticism in the 19th century. His concept of "crystallization" describes the process of falling in love, likening it to the formation of crystals. He passed away in 1842, leaving a lasting impact on literature.