José Ortega y Gasset (1883-1955) was a Spanish philosopher, writer, and essayist known for his contributions to existential philosophy. He was a prominent figure in 20th-century Spanish intellectual thought and founded the influential Revista de Occidente. Ortega y Gasset's works explore themes of human existence, culture, and society, emphasizing individual freedom and responsibility. His philosophical ideas continue to influence modern existentialist and phenomenological thinking.