John H. Conway was a British mathematician known for his contributions to various fields, including group theory, number theory, and combinatorial game theory. He is perhaps best recognized for inventing the Game of Life, a cellular automaton that simulates the evolution of patterns based on simple rules. Conway was also known for his work on surreal numbers, a system that extends the real numbers and provides a framework for understanding infinite quantities. His engaging personality and ability to communicate complex ideas made him a beloved figure in the mathematical community until his passing in 2020.