Gary Gygax was an American game designer and writer who is best known as the co-creator of the game Dungeons & Dragons. He was born in 1938 and developed an early interest in games and fantasy literature.In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Gygax began designing and publishing his own tabletop games, including Chainmail, a medieval miniatures game that would later serve as the basis for Dungeons & Dragons.

In 1974, Gygax and his collaborator Dave Arneson released the first edition of Dungeons & Dragons, a game that would revolutionize the world of tabletop gaming and inspire countless imitators and spin-offs.Gygax continued to work on Dungeons & Dragons throughout his career, writing numerous supplements and adventure modules, and serving as the creative force behind many of the game's most iconic characters and settings.

Despite his many achievements, Gygax faced numerous challenges and setbacks over the course of his career, including legal battles over the ownership of Dungeons & Dragons and financial difficulties with his game company, TSR.Gygax passed away in 2008, but his legacy as a pioneer in the world of gaming and fantasy literature continues to inspire and influence gamers and writers around the world.