A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1896-1977) was an Indian spiritual teacher, prolific author, and the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), widely known as the Hare Krishna movement. He is celebrated for bringing the teachings of Gaudiya Vaishnavism and the practice of bhakti-yoga to a global audience through his writings, lectures, and missionary work.

He studied at Scottish Church College, graduating in 1920 with majors in English, philosophy, and economics. In 1922, he met his guru Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami, who urged him to spread the teachings of Lord Krishna in the West. He was formally initiated in 1933 and began translating and writing commentaries on sacred texts. In 1965, at the age of 69, Prabhupada traveled alone to New York City with little money and no institutional support. In 1966, he founded ISKCON, which quickly grew into a worldwide movement with temples, farms, schools, and cultural centers. 

By the time of his passing in Vrindavan, India, on November 14, 1977, ISKCON had expanded to over 100 temples worldwide. Today, millions of people continue to study his works and practice Krishna consciousness under ISKCON's guidance.