William Joseph Chaminade was a French priest born on April 8, 1761, in Perigueux, France. He is best known for founding the Society of Mary, also known as the Marianists, in 1817. Chaminade dedicated his life to education and the spiritual formation of young people, especially after the turmoil of the French Revolution. Chaminade's work focused on promoting the Catholic faith and fostering a sense of community among believers. He emphasized the importance of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the spiritual life and sought to create a network of schools and religious communities to support this mission. He passed away on January 22, 1850, and was canonized as a saint in 2010.