Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche was a German philosopher, cultural critic, poet, and philologist. He lived from 1844 to 1900 and is best known for his ideas on existentialism, morality, and the concept of the "Übermensch" or "superman." Nietzsche's works, including "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" and "Beyond Good and Evil," have had a significant influence on modern philosophy and continue to be studied and debated today. His ideas often challenged traditional beliefs and values, and he is considered one of the most important and controversial thinkers of the 19th century.