Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel was a German philosopher and a major figure in the tradition of German idealism. His influence on Western philosophy extends across a wide range of topics—from metaphysical issues in epistemology and ontology, to political philosophy, to philosophy of art and philosophy of religion. August 27, 1770 – November 14, 1831; died at 61. Alive at the same time as Abraham Lincoln, Charles Darwin, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Karl Marx. Wiki link