RENE DESCARTES was born in France in 1596.  He is
considered to be one of the most influential thinkers
ever, having contributed really big ideas to the fields
of mathematics and philosophy.  

Decartes is well known for many things, including the 
Cartesian coordinate system, Cartesian common cense, 
the mind/body duality hypothesis, and the observation 
that human cognition is greatly facilitated by the 
ability to complete "fractured knowledge".  His
most well known work is "A Discourse on Method, 
Meditations on First Philosophy", published in 1641.