Thomas Gray was an English poet, best known for his work "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard," published in 1751. Born on December 26, 1716, in London, he was educated at Eton College and later at Pembroke College, Cambridge. Gray's poetry is characterized by its emotional depth and exploration of themes such as mortality and nature. In addition to his poetry, Gray was a scholar and a professor of history at Cambridge University. He was part of a literary circle that included notable figures like Horace Walpole. Gray's influence on English literature is significant, and he is often regarded as a precursor to the Romantic poets.