# Benoît Prieur > French computing engineer **Wikidata**: [Q42790984](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q42790984) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/benoit-prieur ## Summary Benoît Prieur is a French computing engineer and Wikimedian known for developing PyCommonist, open-source software for uploading images to Wikimedia Commons. He has held leadership roles in Wikimedia governance since 2010, including serving on the board of Wikimedia France and the Affiliations Committee. ## Biography - **Born:** August 19, 1975, in Auxerre, France - **Nationality:** France - **Education:** - Diplôme d'ingénieur (Institut d'informatique d'Auvergne, 2000; computer science, applied mathematics) - Diplôme d'études approfondies (Blaise Pascal University, 2000; computer science, operations research) - Licentiate (Marc Bloch University, 2010; sociology) - French masters degree (University of Caen Normandy, 2013; sociology) - **Known for:** Creating PyCommonist (Wikimedia Commons upload tool) and Wikimedia community leadership - **Employer(s):** Soarthec (2017–2021) - **Field(s):** Computer science, sociology ## Contributions Benoît Prieur developed PyCommonist, a specialized software tool that facilitates bulk uploads of images to Wikimedia Commons, streamlining the process for Wikimedia contributors. Since 2010, he has been active in Wikimedia governance, serving on the board of Wikimedia France (2014–2016) and the Affiliations Committee (2022–2023). His technical contributions extend to OpenStreetMap (contributing since 2012) and Geohashing (since 2021), alongside work in open-source development and Wikimedia-related projects. Prieur has also authored content on computer science for platforms like Le Maitron and serves as an adviser to Wikimedia committees, impacting digital accessibility and open-data initiatives. ## FAQs ### Q: What is PyCommonist? A: PyCommonist is open-source software created by Benoît Prieur to simplify bulk uploads of images to Wikimedia Commons, enhancing efficiency for Wikimedia contributors. ### Q: What Wikimedia roles has Benoît Prieur held? A: He served on the Wikimedia France board (2014–2016), was a member of the Affiliations Committee (2022–2023), and has been a Wikimedian since 2010. ### Q: What is Prieur’s academic background? A: He holds degrees in computer science (engineering diploma, 2000) and sociology (licentiate, 2010; master’s, 2013) from multiple French institutions. ### Q: How is Prieur involved in open-source mapping? A: He contributes to OpenStreetMap (since 2012) and Geohashing (since 2021), focusing on geospatial data crowdsourcing. ## Why They Matter Benoît Prieur’s work has significantly impacted open knowledge ecosystems through technical innovation in Wikimedia tools and governance leadership. PyCommonist reduces friction in digital content sharing, while his roles in Wikimedia committees have shaped community policy and inclusion. His cross-disciplinary expertise in computer science and sociology informs contributions to open data projects like OpenStreetMap, bridging technology and civic engagement. Without his work, Wikimedia Commons contributors would lack an efficient bulk-upload solution, and Wikimedia governance would have fewer voices advocating for structural transparency. ## Notable For - Creator of PyCommonist, a widely used Wikimedia Commons upload tool - Long-serving Wikimedian with roles in Wikimedia France board (2014–2016) and Affiliations Committee (2022–2023) - OpenStreetMap contributor since 2012 and Geohashing participant since 2021 - Author of computer science content for Le Maitron and educational resources - Adviser to Wikimedia’s Affiliations Committee (2024–2024) ## Body ### Early Life and Education Born in Auxerre, France (1975), Prieur pursued interdisciplinary studies, earning an engineering diploma in computer science and applied mathematics from Institut d'informatique d'Auvergne (2000). He later completed a Diplôme d'études approfondies in computer science and operations research at Blaise Pascal University (2000), complemented by sociological degrees from Marc Bloch University (licentiate, 2010) and University of Caen Normandy (master’s, 2013). ### Technical Contributions Prieur developed PyCommonist, open-source software designed to streamline batch image uploads to Wikimedia Commons. This tool addresses a critical need in Wikimedia workflows by automating previously manual processes. His technical footprint extends to open-source mapping, contributing to OpenStreetMap since September 2012 and participating in Geohashing since December 2021. ### Wikimedia and Community Leadership As a Wikimedian since 2010, Prieur held significant governance roles: - Wikimedia France board member (2014–2016) - Member of the Affiliations Committee (2022–2023; adviser until April 2024) He represents community interests in structural decisions and policy development. His Wikimedia username "Benoît Prieur" has been active since November 2010. ### Professional and Academic Work Prieur employed as a software engineer at Soarthec (2017–2021). He contributes to educational content as a science writer (computer science) and sports journalist, with articles published in *Le Journal de la Côtière* and *Bugey-Côtière* (2018–present). He teaches quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and electronics, applying his dual expertise in technology and sociology. ### Digital Presence and Activities Prieur maintains a bilingual website (benoit-prieur.fr) and engages across platforms including GitHub (benprieur), Twitch (benprieur), and Wikimedia projects under accounts "Benoît Prieur" and "Agamitsudo". His social media following spans Twitter (@benprieur; 3,630 followers as of 2024) and Instagram (@prieur_benoit). He identifies as a chess enthusiast, with online profiles on chess.com and lichess (username: benprieur). ## References 1. Benoît Prieur enseigne le Rust. 2022 2. BnF authorities 3. Passionné par Wikipédia, il en est à 113 000 contributions sur le site 4. Serial encyclopédiste : un wikipédien à 113 000 contributions 5. Q111974840 6. Benoît Prieur développe le savoir informatique 7. Ce Mauricien, crack en informatique, a sorti onze livres sur le sujet 8. [Source](https://books.google.fr/books/about/Jean_Forestier_Ou_La_Conqu%C3%A8te_de_Paris.html?id=-SPsuAEACAAJ) 9. [Source](https://www.directvelo.com/auteur/14/benoit-prieur) 10. Chess.com 11. [Source](https://www.editions-eni.fr/benoit-prieur) 12. [Source](https://cv.archives-ouvertes.fr/benoit-prieur) 13. Open Library 14. [Ce Mauricien, crack en informatique, a sorti onze livres sur le sujet](https://maitron.fr/spip.php?mot20833)