William Butler Yeats (1865-1939) was an Irish poet, dramatist, and one of the foremost figures of 20th-century literature. Born in Dublin, he was a key player in the Irish literary revival and co-founded the Abbey Theatre. Yeats's early work was influenced by Irish folklore and symbolism, but his style evolved over time to reflect more personal themes, including love, loss, and spirituality. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923. Yeats's poetry is known for its lyrical beauty, rich imagery, and deep exploration of the human experience, making him a central figure in modernist literature. His notable works include "The Tower," "The Second Coming," and "Sailing to Byzantium."