Anna Akhmatova was a Russian poet who lived from 1889 to 1966. She is considered one of the most acclaimed poets in the Russian language and is often referred to as the 'greatest woman poet' of the 20th century. Her works are known for their emotional intensity and her ability to capture the essence of the Russian soul. She wrote about love, loss, and the struggles of everyday life, and her work has been translated into many languages.