Frédéric Chopin (Polish: Fryderyk (Franciszek) Chopin) March 1, 1810, Żelazowa Wola – October 17, 1849, Paris) was a Polish piano composer of the Romantic period. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers for piano of all time.

Hailed in his homeland as a child prodigy, at age twenty Chopin left Poland forever. Eventually, in Paris, he made a career as performer, teacher and composer, and adopted the French version of his given names, "Frédéric-François." From 1837 to 1847 he had a turbulent relationship with the French writer George Sand. Always in frail health, at 39 he succumbed to pulmonary tuberculosis.

All of Chopin's extant work includes the piano in some role (predominantly as a solo instrument), and his compositions are widely considered to be among the pinnacles of the piano's repertoire. Although his music is among the most technically demanding for the instrument, Chopin's style emphasizes nuance and expressive depth rather than mere technical virtuosity.