Will Durant and Ariel Durant were an American husband-and-wife team known for their work in history and philosophy. They co-authored the influential book series, The Story of Civilization, which spans eleven volumes and covers Western history from ancient times to the early 19th century. Their writing aimed to make history accessible and engaging for the general public. The Durants were also notable for their contributions to the field of philosophy, particularly in the context of historical development. They received the Pulitzer Prize for their work in 1968, recognizing their efforts to synthesize complex ideas and present them in a clear, narrative style.