Stevin, Simon (1548-1620), was a Flemish mathematician. He promoted the use of decimal fractions and decimal systems of measurement. He also made important discoveries in geography, mathematics, and physics. In addition, he invented a method of flooding lowlands in advance of attacking armies. The method involved the opening of certain water-control gates in dikes.
Stevin was born in Bruges, in a part of Flanders that is now in Belgium. He held positions in the Dutch government as commissioner of public works and as quartermaster general of the Dutch army.
