Jacob Ludwig Karl Grimm, best known as one of the Brothers Grimm, was a seminal figure in the field of linguistics, folklore, and German studies. Born on January 4, 1785, in Hanau, Germany, Jacob was a multi-faceted author, linguist, philologist, jurist, and folklorist.

He is famously credited with formulating Grimm's Law, a significant theory in historical linguistics. His scholarly work also includes contributing to the Deutsches Wörterbuch and authoring the influential Deutsche Mythologie. His editorial work on Grimms' Fairy Tales has left an enduring legacy, making him a household name.

Jacob's life and career were deeply intertwined with that of his younger brother, Wilhelm Grimm. The two brothers' collaborative efforts in collecting and publishing German folk tales have cemented their status as the iconic duo known around the world as the Brothers Grimm.