born 1540, Grenoble, France
died 1576, Orléans
French engineer.
His improvements in the lathe were of great importance in the development of the machine-tool industry and of scientific instrumentation. His designs were illustrated in great detail in his Theatrum instrumentorum et machinarum (1569). Among many innovations, Besson introduced cam s and templates (patterns used to guide the form of a piece being made) to the screw-cutting lathe, thus increasing the operator's control of tool and workpiece and permitting production of more accurate and intricate work in metal.