Ancius Manlius Severinus Boethius was a Roman philosopher, statesman, and mathematician who lived in the 6th century. He is best known for his influential work "The Consolation of Philosophy," which he wrote while imprisoned and awaiting execution. Boethius made significant contributions to the fields of philosophy, particularly in the areas of logic and metaphysics. His writings had a lasting impact on medieval thought and continue to be studied and revered today.