Marin Mersenne: Educator of scientists

The teaching of mathematics in the sixteenth and early seventeenth century France was reduced to a bare minimum. Lack of enthusiasm in the teachers, lack of motivation in the students, and absence of creativity in researchers relegated mathematics to an insignificant role in education. Marin Mersenne (1588-1648), a French monk, spent about forty years promoting a greater interest in science. A scientist himself, he made contributions in music, in number theory, the study of functions, and physics. He corresponded with many scholars of his time, and motivated them to search for the solution of many specific problems. He had correspondents in France, Spain, England, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Italy, Egypt, and Turkey. Thanks to his mediation, many scholars could communicate among themselves, sharing the results of their studies. He was able to bring scholars together at regular meetings, where scientific papers were read, national and international publications were reviewed, correspondence with and from the most remote corners of Europe were exchanged, experiments were designed and discussed, and quarrels among scientists were settled. Eventually such regular meetings gave birth to the French Academy of Sciences. From Italy he brought to France Torricelli's barometric experiment, which led to the discovery of the atmospheric pressure, against the established Aristotelian philosophy. As a consequence, long established principles were brought under closer scrutiny: modern science was born. Mersenne was especially able to motivate young gifted students to pursue mathematical careers. He did this by proposing to them some problems in line with their interests and their level of preparation, suggesting relevant reading material, introducing them to well known scientists, involving them in his experiments, and sharing the credit with them. By the third decade of the seventeenth century the curriculum of the schools in France was beginning to be challenged, the teaching of mathematics became a noble profession, and the sciences started to attract the attention of every educated person. For his efforts in popularizing science and involving great scholars in scientific research and publication, Mersenne today can be a model for mentors.