Hilaire Belloc was a British writer, historian, and poet who lived from 1870 to 1953. He is best known for his works of history, such as The History of England, and his poetry, which often focused on religious themes. He was also a prolific essayist and wrote several books on the Catholic faith. Belloc was a member of the Distributist movement, which advocated for economic justice and a more equitable distribution of wealth. He was also an outspoken critic of the British government and its policies.