Leonard Norman Cohen was a poet, novelist, and singer-songwriter from Canada. In his writing, themes like faith and death, loneliness and sadness, betrayal and redemption, social and political struggle, and sexual and romantic love, desire, regret, and loss are frequently handled.

He was admitted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, and the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. He received the highest civilian distinction bestowed by the country, Companion of the Order of Canada.