Paul Abraham Dukas (1 October 1865 – 17 May 1935) was a notable French composer, critic, scholar, and teacher. Born in Paris to a Jewish family, Dukas showed an interest in music at the age of 14, after recovering from an illness. He studied at the Conservatoire de Paris, where he was a contemporary and friend of Claude Debussy. Although he was intensely self-critical and destroyed many of his works, Dukas is best known for the orchestral piece "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," which gained widespread fame after being featured in Disney's 1940 film "Fantasia."

Dukas's compositions include the opera "Ariane et Barbe-bleue," the "Symphony in C," and the "Piano Sonata in E-flat minor." His works often reflect the influences of Beethoven, Berlioz, Franck, d'Indy, and Debussy. Despite the divisions among French musicians of his time, Dukas maintained the respect of both conservative and progressive factions.

In addition to composing, Dukas was a prolific music critic, contributing to several French journals. His teaching career was distinguished; he served as a professor of composition at the Conservatoire de Paris and the École Normale de Musique, mentoring students such as Olivier Messiaen and Maurice Duruflé.

Dukas's later years were marked by a reduced output, partly due to his critical self-assessment, which led him to destroy many of his manuscripts. However, he continued to contribute to music through his teaching and critical writings, including essays on Rameau, Gluck, and Berlioz. Dukas passed away in Paris in 1935, leaving behind a legacy as a master of orchestration and a respected figure in French music.