John Briggs was an English mathematician and astronomer, best known for his work in logarithms. Born in 1561, he played a significant role in popularizing the use of logarithmic tables, which simplified complex calculations. His most notable publication, "Arithmetica Logarithmica," released in 1620, provided extensive tables of logarithms that were widely used by mathematicians and navigators. Briggs was also a key figure in the development of the decimal system. He advocated for the use of decimal fractions, which made calculations more straightforward compared to traditional fractions. His contributions laid the groundwork for future advancements in mathematics and influenced figures like Isaac Newton and Henry Briggs.