Juan Nepomuceno Carlos Pérez Rulfo Vizcaíno, best known as Juan Rulfo, was a renowned Mexican writer, screenwriter, and photographer. He was born on 16 May 1917 in Apulco, Jalisco (disputed as being in San Gabriel, Jalisco), Mexico, and passed away on 7 January 1986.

Rulfo is celebrated for his significant contributions to 20th-century Latin American literature, particularly through two major works: the novel Pedro Páramo (1955) and the short story collection El Llano en llamas (1953), the latter including the famous tale "¡Diles que no me maten!" ("Tell Them Not to Kill Me!"). His writing often blends reality and fantasy, set against the backdrop of rural Mexico, and addresses themes like socio-economic struggles, loneliness, war, and the interaction between nature and humanity.

He is often credited as a pioneer of magical realism, influencing countless writers during and after the Latin American Boom. Despite being known for his introverted and enigmatic nature, Rulfo's work speaks volumes about the socio-cultural issues of his time.

Juan Rulfo's influence persists, marking a pivotal transition in Mexican literature away from the revolutionary novel and allowing room for narrative experimentation.