BRIGGS, HENRY, one of the greatest mathematicians in the 16th century, was born at Warley Wood in the parish of Halifax in Yorkshire, in 1556. In 1592, he was made examiner and lecturer in mathematics, and soon after reader of the physic lecture founded by Dr. Linacre. When Gresham college in London was established, he was chosen the first professor of geometry there, about the beginning of March 1596. In 1609, Mr. Briggs contracted an intimacy with the learned Mr. James Usher, afterwards archbishop of Armagh, which continued many years by letters, two of which, written by our author, are yet extant. In one of these letters, dated in August 1610, he tells his friend he was engaged in the subject of eclipses; and in the other, dated March 10. 1615, he acquaints him with his being wholly employed about the noble invention of logarithms, then lately discovered, in the improvement of which he had afterwards a large share. In 1619, he was made Savilian professor of geometry at Oxford; and resigned his professorship of Gresham college on the 25th of July 1620. Soon after his going to Oxford, he was incorporated master of arts in that university; where he continued till his death, which happened on the 26th of January 1630. Dr. Smith gives him the character of a man of great probity; a contemner of riches, and contented with his own station; preferring a studious retirement to all the splendid circumstances of life. He wrote, 1. Logarithmorum chilia prima. 2. Arithmetica logarithmica. 3. Trigonometria Britannica. 4. A small tract on the north-west passage; and some other works.