Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) was a German philosopher whose work has left an indelible mark on Western philosophy and intellectual history. Born in the small town of Röcken, near Leipzig, Nietzsche was a prodigious talent from an early age, eventually becoming a professor of classical philology before his philosophical brilliance overshadowed his philological contributions. Nietzsche's writing is characterized by its aphoristic style and its radical critique of traditional European morality and religion, particularly Christianity. His thoughts on power, individuality, and the 'will to power' as a fundamental aspect of human existence have been extensively influential. Among his most significant works are 'Thus Spoke Zarathustra', 'Beyond Good and Evil', 'The Genealogy of Morals', and 'The Birth of Tragedy'. Nietzsche's declaration of the 'death of God' and proclamation of the Übermensch (Superman) have fed into discussions of existentialism and postmodernism. Nietzsche suffered from severe health problems and mental illness in the latter part of his life, rendering him unable to work after 1889. Despite his tragic end, Nietzsche's ideas live on, and 'The Essential Works of Friedrich Nietzsche' offers an invaluable compendium of his thought for both scholars and general readers. Nietzsche's influence is pervasive, extending beyond philosophy to literature, psychology, and the arts, and he is considered one of the forerunners of existentialism and postmodernism.