Joseph Rudyard Kipling (RUD-yərd; 30 December 1865 – 18 January 1936) was an English novelist, short-story writer, poet, and journalist. Born in British India, Kipling's vast body of work was significantly inspired by his early experiences there.

Kipling's notable works include the Jungle Book series, consisting of The Jungle Book (1894) and The Second Jungle Book (1895), the spy novel Kim (1901), the Just So Stories (1902), and a multitude of short stories, such as "The Man Who Would Be King" (1888). His poetry, which includes pieces like "Mandalay" (1890), "Gunga Din" (1890), "The Gods of the Copybook Headings" (1919), "The White Man's Burden" (1899), and "If—" (1910), further cemented his reputation as a literary innovator.

Acknowledged for his innovative approach to the short story and celebrated for his children's literature, Kipling's works have been described as showcasing "a versatile and luminous narrative gift." In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, he was among the United Kingdom's most beloved writers. Henry James lauded him as "the most complete man of genius (as distinct from fine intelligence) that I have ever known." In 1907, Kipling became the first English-language writer to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, and at 41, its youngest recipient to date.

Despite declining several honors, including the British Poet Laureateship and knighthood, Kipling accepted the Nobel Prize, highlighting his complex relationship with the honors bestowed upon him. Following his death, he was interred at Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey, leaving behind a legacy that continues to spark passionate discussions and reassessments of his place in literary and cultural history. As time progresses, his role as an interpreter of empire and a masterful storyteller remains indisputable.