Richard Ellmann was a distinguished American literary critic and biographer, best known for his comprehensive works on modernist writers. Born on March 15, 1918, in Highland Park, Michigan, Ellmann earned his Ph.D. from Yale University. His seminal biography, "James Joyce," published in 1959, received widespread acclaim for its meticulous research and narrative depth, solidifying his reputation as a preeminent Joyce scholar. Ellmann also wrote extensively on Oscar Wilde and W.B. Yeats, contributing significantly to the understanding of 20th-century literature. Throughout his career, he garnered numerous accolades, including the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize, leaving an indelible mark on literary studies.