Marquis de Sade, born Donatien Alphonse François de Sade (1740–1814), was a French nobleman and writer known for his libertine sexuality and works that explored themes of eroticism, transgression, and sadism. His name is the origin of the term "sadism," reflecting his depictions of sexual violence and cruelty in novels such as "Justine" and "120 Days of Sodom." De Sade's life was marked by scandal, imprisonment, and long periods of incarceration, including in the Bastille. Despite—or perhaps because of—his controversial life and work, he has been both reviled and celebrated, seen by some as a symbol of absolute freedom and by others as a monster. His legacy has influenced a diverse array of fields, including literature, philosophy, and psychology.