Alberto Moravia (November 28, 1907 - September 26, 1990; born Alberto Pincherle) was one of the leading Italian novelists in the 20th century. His works explored issues of modern sexuality, alienation, and existentialism. He is best known for his antifascist novel Il Conformista (The conformist), which was the basis for the 1970 film The Conformist from director Bernardo Bertolucci. Other Moravia novels that became films include Il Disprezzo/A Ghost at Noon (filmed by Jean-Luc Godard) and La Ciociara/Two Women (filmed by Vittorio de Sica).

Moravia spent a significant portion of his adolescence in sanitariums, where he wrote his first novel, Gli Indifferenti (The Indifferent Ones). In addition to writing novels and short stories, Moravia worked as a journalist for several major Italian newspapers and magazines, including Il Corriere della Sera and Il Mondo. Later in life, he entered the world of politics and represented Italy in the European Parliament from 1984 until his death.