William Paley was an English philosopher and theologian born in 1743. He is best known for his work in natural theology, particularly his argument for the existence of God through the design of the universe. His famous analogy, the "watchmaker analogy," suggests that just as a watch's complexity implies a watchmaker, the complexity of nature implies a divine creator. Paley's influential book, Natural Theology, published in 1802, explores the idea that the natural world reflects the wisdom and purpose of God. His ideas contributed significantly to discussions on the relationship between science and religion during the Enlightenment and continue to be referenced in debates about intelligent design.