Bertolt Brecht was a German dramatist, poet, and theatre director who lived from 1898 to 1956. He is best known for his plays, which often expressed his Marxist views on society. His works include The Threepenny Opera, Mother Courage and Her Children, and The Caucasian Chalk Circle. Brecht's influence on theatre and literature has been immense, and he is considered one of the most important figures in 20th century theatre.