Maurice Leblanc (1864–1941) was a French novelist and short story writer best known for creating the character Arsène Lupin. He began his career writing mainstream novels but achieved lasting fame with his crime and adventure stories. Leblanc’s Lupin series cemented him as one of the most popular French writers of the early 20th century, and his creation remains a cultural touchstone, inspiring adaptations in film, television, and literature.