William Makepeace Thackeray was a British novelist and satirist, born on July 18, 1811, in Calcutta, India. He is best known for his novel Vanity Fair, which offers a critical look at early 19th-century British society. Thackeray's writing often combined humor and social commentary, making him a prominent figure in Victorian literature. Thackeray studied at Trinity College, Cambridge, and later pursued a career in writing and illustration. His works frequently explored themes of class, ambition, and morality. He passed away on December 24, 1863, leaving behind a legacy as one of the great literary figures of his time.