Marin Mersenne (September 8, 1588 - September 1, 1648) was a French theologian, mathematician, and music theorist.

Mason entered the monastery in 1611 and became a French Catholic Minemite priest. In 1626, he established his monastery in Paris as a meeting place for scientists and a center for the exchange of information. He maintained regular correspondence with the greatest mathematicians of his time, and was good friends with Fermat, the prince of amateur mathematics. Mason edited the works of several Greek mathematicians and discussed the topics in them, especially the Mersenne primes, which were discussed in Cogitata physico - mathe-matica, published in 1644. His book "Harmonie universelle" is a valuable historical record of contemporary musical instruments. Mason died in Paris on September 1, 1648.

Comments: Mersenne numbers and Mersenne primes are named after him