Marin Mersenne was a French monk, mathematician, scientist, and philosopher known for his development of the Mersenne primes, which have played a significant role in number theory for several centuries. Born into a family of laborers in Oize in Maine, France, Mersenne attended the College of Mans for his grammar studies and then enrolled at the Jesuit college at La Fleche from 1604 until 1609. He then studied theology at the Sorbonne in Paris until 1611, when he joined the Minims, an order of Catholic friars dedicated to prayer and scholarship. Mersenne continued his studies at Minims' monasteries at Nigeon and Meaux and also taught philosophy at a monastery in Nevers. In 1619, Mersenne went to live at a monastery in Paris, where he spent the rest of his life.

A prolific writer, Mersenne's works in mathematics and physics were bolstered greatly by correspondence with scientists throughout Europe. As scientific journals or...