The famous figure known for articulating the theory of heliocentrism is Nicolaus Copernicus. In his groundbreaking work, "De revolutionibus orbium coelestium," published in 1543, Copernicus proposed that the Sun, rather than the Earth, was at the center of the universe. This revolutionary idea challenged the long-standing geocentric model endorsed by the Church and prevailed for centuries. His theory laid the foundation for modern astronomy, influencing later astronomers such as Galileo Galilei and Johannes Kepler. Copernicus's work initiated a paradigm shift that contributed to the Scientific Revolution, transforming humanity's understanding of its place in the cosmos.