Charles Baudelaire (1821-1867) was a French poet, essayist, art critic, and translator. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential poets of the 19th century. His most famous work, "Les Fleurs du mal" (The Flowers of Evil), was published in 1857 and is a landmark in the history of French poetry. This collection of poems, which explores themes of beauty, decadence, eroticism, and the relationship between the artist and modern, industrial society, was considered scandalous at the time but has since been recognized for its profound impact on modern literature and the development of the Symbolist movement. Baudelaire's writing is characterized by its rich imagery, complex symbolism, and exploration of the darker aspects of human nature and the urban experience.