Sir John Harington was an English courtier and poet, born in 1560. He is best known for his invention of the flush toilet, which he called the "Ajax." Harington designed this innovative toilet for his godmother, Queen Elizabeth I, and it featured a valve that allowed water to flush waste away, a significant advancement for sanitation at the time. In addition to his contributions to plumbing, Harington was also a writer. He published several works, including a translation of Orlando Furioso, an epic poem by Ludovico Ariosto. Harington's literary talents and inventions made him a notable figure in the Elizabethan era.