Omar Khayyam, born on May 18, 1048, in Nishapur, Persia (present-day Iran), was a distinguished Persian polymath renowned for his contributions to mathematics, astronomy, philosophy, and poetry. His full name, Ghiyāth al-Dīn Abū al-Fatḥ ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm al-Nīsābūrī al-Khayyāmī, reflects his Persian heritage, with "Khayyam" meaning "tent-maker," possibly indicating his family's trade.

In mathematics, Khayyam is celebrated for his work on solving cubic equations through the intersection of a parabola and a circle, a significant advancement in geometric methods.

As an astronomer, he led a team of scientists in Isfahan to reform the Persian calendar, resulting in the Jalali calendar, which was remarkably accurate for its time.

Beyond his scientific endeavors, Khayyam gained international fame for his poetic quatrains, known as "Rubáiyát." These poems explore themes of life's transience, the pursuit of happiness, and the mysteries of existence, often employing metaphors involving wine and love. His poetry was introduced to the Western world through Edward FitzGerald's 19th-century translations, which, while not always faithful to the original text, captured the essence of Khayyam's philosophical musings.

Khayyam's philosophical outlook was marked by skepticism and a quest for truth, leading to tensions with orthodox religious authorities of his time. Despite this, he maintained a reputation as a devout individual, undertaking a pilgrimage to Mecca, possibly to dispel doubts about his faith.

Omar Khayyam passed away on December 4, 1131, in his hometown of Nishapur. His mausoleum in Nishapur remains a site of homage, reflecting the enduring legacy of his intellectual and artistic contributions.