Marin Mersenne (pronounced Mehr-SENN), Marin Mersennus or le Père Mersenne (8 September 1588 – 1 September 1648) was a French theologian, philosopher, mathematician and music theorist, often referred to as the "father of acoustics". Mersenne was known for his extensive correspondence with mathematicians and scientists in many countries. At a time when the scientific journal had not yet come into being, Mersenne was the center of a network for exchange of information.