George Orwell, the pen name of Eric Arthur Blair, was a towering figure in 20th-century literature, providing incisive social commentary through his works. Born on June 25, 1903, in Motihari, British India, Orwell's background in colonial Burma and poverty-stricken Paris, as detailed in his essays, shaped his consciousness and critical outlook toward totalitarianism and social injustice. His satirical novella, 'Animal Farm,' and his dystopian masterpiece, 'Nineteen Eighty-Four,' are seminal works that explore the themes of totalitarianism, individualism, and the misuse of language as a political tool. 'Nineteen Eighty-Four' (1949), Orwell's most acclaimed novel, paints a chilling depiction of a society under the omnipresent surveillance of 'Big Brother,' where independent thought is persecuted as a 'thoughtcrime.' Orwell's prescience in depicting oppressive regimes has led to the term 'Orwellian' being synonymous with invasive state control and manipulated truth. His lucid prose and intellectual rigor remain influential, reflecting a literary style committed to clarity and moral purpose. Orwell's essays, narratives, and literary critiques continue to captivate scholars and readers alike, making him an enduring intellectual presence in the pantheon of English literature. He passed away on January 21, 1950, but his insights into power dynamics and human nature continue to resonate in contemporary discourse.