Mircea Eliade (1907–1986) was a Romanian historian of religions, fiction writer, philosopher, and professor at the University of Chicago. He was one of the pre-eminent scholars of religion of the 20th century and his works covered a broad range of subjects, including religious studies, comparative religion, mythology, and symbolism. Eliade is best known for his theories on the nature of religion, particularly his concept of the 'sacred' as the foundation of religious experience. His influential works include "The Sacred and the Profane," "The Myth of the Eternal Return," and "Patterns in Comparative Religion." Eliade's fiction, such as the novel "Maitreyi" ("La Nuit Bengali" or "Bengal Nights"), draws on his experiences in India and his enduring interest in the mystical and the spiritual. His work has had a substantial impact on the study of religion and myth, and he continues to be a key reference point for scholars in these fields.