Bossuet

bo-swa'(1627-1704), a noted French divine. He was born at Dijon. He was educated for the priesthood in his native town and in Paris. He was noted as a classical scholar, a refuter of Protestant doctrines, a pulpit orator, and as a writer on historical and other subjects. Bossuet was in the midst of the Huguenot controversy. He was chosen to convert the Protestants of Metz. In 1670 he became tutor of the young dauphin, with whose grandmother, Anne of Austria, he was a favorite. Both Louis XIV and his minister Mazarin regarded Bossuet with a kindly eye. He was elevated to various offices of importance in church and state. He is known best perhaps as Bishop of Meaux (mo). Here he officiated in a fine old cathedral but twenty-seven miles from Paris. Among his pulpit orations those delivered on the occasion of Marshal Turenne's admission to the Catholic church, on the death of the Duchess of Orleans, and at the tomb of "The Great Conde," are his most noted efforts. Bossuet's character is not called in question. He was a man of simplicity, piety, sincerity, and ability. His works fill forty-three volumes. He was one of the noted members of the French Academy.