Louis Massignon

Catholic scholar of Islam Louis MassignonBorn(1883-07-25)25 July 1883Nogent-sur-Marne, FranceDied31 October 1962(1962-10-31) (aged 79)TitleChair of Muslim Sociology and SociographySpouseMarcelle Dansaert-TestelinChildrenGeneviève MassignonAcademic backgroundEducationLycée Louis-le-GrandAlma materCollège de FranceAcademic workDisciplineOriental studiesSub-disciplineArab and Islamic studiesInstitutionsCollège de FranceNotable worksAnnuaire du Monde Musulman La passion de Hussayn Ibn Mansûr an-Hallâj Louis Massignon (25 July 1883 – 31 October 1962) was a French Catholic scholar of Islam and a pioneer of Catholic-Muslim mutual understanding. He was an influential figure in the twentieth century with regard to the Catholic Church's relationship with Islam and played a role in Islam being accepted as an Abrahamic faith among Catholics. Although a Catholic himself, he tried to understand Islam from within and thus had a great influence on the way Islam was seen in the West; among other things, he paved the way for a greater openness to dialogue inside the Catholic Church towards Islam. Some scholars maintain that his research, esteem for Islam and Muslims, and cultivation of key s