Jim Jones was an American religious leader and cult figure, best known as the founder of the Peoples Temple. Born in 1931 in Indiana, Jones established the Peoples Temple in the 1950s, which initially focused on issues such as racial integration and social justice. However, his charismatic leadership eventually turned authoritarian, leading to the establishment of a commune in Jonestown, Guyana. In 1978, amid growing scrutiny and pressure from authorities, Jones orchestrated a mass murder-suicide, resulting in the deaths of over 900 people in a tragic event known as the Jonestown Massacre. His legacy remains a cautionary tale of the dangers of charismatic authoritarianism.