Franco of Cologne

Franco of Cologne, also called James Franco of Liege Teutonicus, was an important music theorist, and lived in the 13th century. His most important work is the treatise Ars cantus written around 1280 mensurabilis ( "doctrine of mensural chant " ), who teaches the so-called mensural notation.

About his life little is known, however, two of the eight surviving manuscripts of his tract contain biographical information. So the author is named in a case Magister Franco of Paris. In another case, it is referred to as a priest and preceptor of the Knights in Cologne. However, this information can not be verified. Anyway, this title it would have provided a high reputation both in university and in church circles. James of Liège called him as a composer; nevertheless no compositions by Franco have survived.