Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (January 22, 1729 –  February 15, 1781) is a German writer, philosopher, dramatist, publicist and art critic, and one of the most outstanding representatives of the Enlightenment era.

His plays and theoretical writings substantially influence the development of German literature.

He is widely considered by theater historians to be the first dramaturge in his role at Abel Seyler's Hamburg National Theater.