Raymond Williams (1921–1988) was a Welsh socialist writer, academic, novelist, and critic who was central to the New Left and influential in cultural studies. His works on politics, literature, and media contributed significantly to the Marxist critique of culture and the arts. Notable for shaping cultural materialism, Williams sold over 750,000 copies of his books in the UK alone, with many translations available. His writings remain foundational in the fields of cultural studies and media theory, impacting how culture and society are analyzed.