Karel Václav Rais (1867-1946) was a Czech poet, playwright, and novelist. He is considered one of the most important figures in Czech literature and is known for his works exploring themes of love, death, and morality. Rais was born in Prague and studied at Charles University before becoming a teacher. He wrote several novels and collections of poetry throughout his career. His works often featured characters from the lower classes of society and explored themes of social injustice. Rais' work has been translated into many languages and continues to be read around the world today.