First pharaoh of the 4th Dynasty (c 2575-2465 BC) in Egypt, who was deified by the Middle Kingdom and celebrated in later literature as a benevolent and kind ruler. He created a centralized administration which marked the end of the Old Kingdom. The pyramids at Dahshur and the completion of the pyramids at Meidum are attributed to him. After a 24-year reign, Snefru was succeeded by his son, Khufu, the renowned builder of the Great Pyramid at Giza.