Witold Marian Gombrowicz (August 4, 1904 – July 24, 1969) was a Polish writer and playwright known for his deep psychological analysis, sense of paradox, and absurd anti-nationalist themes. His notable work includes his first novel, Ferdydurke, which explores themes of immaturity, youth, and the construction of identity through social interactions, as well as a critical examination of class roles in Polish society and culture.

Despite achieving fame only in the last years of his life, Gombrowicz is now regarded as a significant figure in Polish literature. His diaries, published posthumously, are hailed as his masterpiece by the Paris Review. Meanwhile, The New Yorker considers Cosmos his most accomplished novel. He was a four-time nominee for the Nobel Prize in Literature from 1966 to 1969.