Jean-Jacques Rousseau was an influential 18th-century philosopher, writer, and composer, known for his contributions to political philosophy and education. Born in Geneva in 1712, his works strongly influenced the Enlightenment in France and across Europe, as well as aspects of the French Revolution. His treatises, such as "The Social Contract" and "Emile, or On Education," argue for individual freedom, the construct of a social contract, and the importance of education in developing a genuine human character.