Michel de Montaigne was a French philosopher and writer who lived during the 16th century. He is best known for popularizing the essay as a literary genre and for his influential work "Essais" (Essays), in which he explored a wide range of topics, including philosophy, morality, and human nature. Montaigne is celebrated for his skepticism and his emphasis on self-examination and introspection. His writings have had a lasting impact on Western thought and continue to be studied and admired for their depth and insight.