George Orwell, born Eric Arthur Blair, was an English novelist and journalist. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential authors of the 20th century, particularly known for his novels '1984' and 'Animal Farm'. His work is marked by keen intelligence and wit, a profound awareness of social injustice, an intense, revolutionary opposition to totalitarianism, a passion for clarity in language, and a belief in democratic socialism. Orwell served in the Imperial Police in Burma before returning to Europe to earn his living penning novels and essays. He was a prolific journalist who wrote on a range of topics, including politics, language, and literature, and he remained deeply committed to social justice until his death.