Claude Garamond was a French typographer and type designer born around 1490. He is best known for creating the Garamond typeface, which became one of the most popular and enduring typefaces in the history of printing. His work significantly influenced the development of typography during the Renaissance. Garamond's designs were characterized by their elegance and readability, making them suitable for both books and other printed materials. He was one of the first to establish a standard for type design, and his influence can still be seen in modern fonts used today.