Arthur Koestler (1905-1983) was a Hungarian-born British author of numerous novels, essays, and biographies. His work focused extensively on the concept of human freedom, particularly the psychological effects of oppression on individuals and society, a cause to which he devoted much of his life. Koestler was a prolific author, having written several books about his experience in the Spanish Civil War, the Soviet Union, and Zionism, as well as several works of non-fiction and biographical novels. In 1964, Koestler received the Sonning Prize, Denmark's highest award for outstanding contributions to culture. His best known works include "Darkness at Noon", an analysis of Stalinism; and "The Ghost in the Machine", which investigated the link between biology and human behavior. Koestler gained prominence in 1983, when he was awarded the Order of Merit by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. He died on 1983-03-01 00:00:00 UTC, at 77 years old.