This essay deals with J. L. Austin 1911–1960). Together with Grice and Searle, he is one of the philosophers who mostly affected the birth and development of pragmatics. The most influential aspect of his thought is his speech act theory, usually considered in isolation from the rest of his philosophy. But a correct understanding of his speech act theory requires placing it correctly within the context of his other claims, especially those regarding the philosophy of language and the philosophy of action.