Will Durant was an American writer, historian, and philosopher, best known for his work in popularizing history. He co-authored the eleven-volume series The Story of Civilization with his wife, Ariel Durant, which covers Western history from ancient times to the 18th century. His engaging writing style made complex historical events accessible to a broad audience. Durant was born on November 5, 1885, in North Adams, Massachusetts, and he later became a prominent figure in the field of history. He received the Pulitzer Prize for his book The Story of Philosophy in 1926, which further established his reputation as a leading intellectual of his time. He passed away on November 7, 1981.