Omar Khayyam (1048–1131) was a Persian poet and polymath, known for his contributions to mathematics, astronomy, philosophy, and Persian literature. He was born in Nishapur, Iran and lived during the Seljuk era, around the time of the First Crusade. May 15, 1048 – December 11, 1131; died at 83. Alive at the same time as William the Conqueror, Peter Abelard, Anselm of Canterbury, Solomon ibn Gabirol, and Bernard of Clairvaux. Wiki link