Fyodor Dostoevsky was a 19th-century Russian novelist and philosopher, renowned for his profound exploration of the human psyche and societal issues. He delved deeply into themes of morality, free will, and existential angst, which is evident in his major works like "Crime and Punishment," "The Brothers Karamazov," and "The Idiot." Born in Moscow in 1821, Dostoevsky experienced personal hardship, including exile in Siberia, which profoundly influenced his writing.