Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) was a Swiss-born philosopher, writer, and political theorist. He is best known for his influential works on social contract theory, which argued that government should be based on the consent of the governed. He also wrote extensively on education, religion, and the arts. Rousseau's writings had a profound influence on the development of modern political thought, and his ideas were embraced by the French Revolution. He is considered one of the most important figures of the Enlightenment, and his works continue to be widely read and studied today.