Erik Satie was a French composer and pianist who lived from 1866 to 1925. He is best known for his eccentric and often humorous compositions, which were largely ignored during his lifetime but have since become popular. Satie was an important influence on the development of modern music, particularly in the fields of minimalism and ambient music. He is also remembered for his unique approach to composition, which often involved improvisation and experimentation. Satie's works include the Gymnopedies, the Gnossiennes, and the Sonneries de la Rose Croix.