Norbert Elias (Breslau, June 22, 1897- Amsterdam, August 1, 1990) was a Jewish-German sociologist whose work focused on the relationship between power, behavior, emotion, and knowledge. It has shaped the so-called "figurative sociology." It was little known in the academic field until the 1970s, when it was "rediscovered". His work of a historical sociology can explain complex social structures without undermining individual agencies.

Elias taught at universities in England (mainly at the University of Leicester), Ghana, Germany, and the Netherlands; His students include the English sociologist Anthony Giddens but its director has been Eric Dunning. He also wrote poetic and narrative works including The Ballad of the Poor Jacob, inspired by a real experience of persecution and contempt, his own. In some way, the "deconstruction" that his thought supposes for modern logics - socially naturalized - has to do with experience; like Hannah Arendt was identified by the foundations of humanity.