George Ivanovich Gurdjieff (1866-1877 - 29 October 1949) was a Russian philosopher, mystic, spiritual teacher, and composer of Armenian and Greek descent, born in Alexandropol, Russian Empire (now Gyumri, Armenia). For some twenty years, he travelled in the remotest regions of Central Asia and the Middle East - this time was crucial in the moulding of his thought. With his party of followers, he was responsible for the opening of the Institute for the Harmonious Development of Man.