Theodor W. Adorno was a German philosopher, sociologist, and musicologist, born on September 11, 1903, in Frankfurt, Germany. He is best known for his work in critical theory and his association with the Frankfurt School, a group of scholars who explored the relationship between culture, society, and politics. Adorno's writings often critiqued mass culture and the effects of capitalism on human experience. Adorno's influential ideas include the concept of the "culture industry," which suggests that popular culture is produced for profit and serves to manipulate and control society. He also emphasized the importance of art and aesthetics in fostering critical thought and individual autonomy. Adorno passed away on August 6, 1969, in Vienna, Austria.