Fleury
CLAUDE (fle-rē'), a French Church historian; born in Paris, France, Dec. 6, 1640. His learning and unaffected simplicity made him a notable figure at the court of Louis XIV., and later at that of Louis XV., whose confessor he became. An "Ecclesiastical History" (1691-1720) forms his claim to enduring renown; the work coming down to 1414. He also wrote: "A History of French Law" (1674) and a "Historical Catechism" (1679). He died in 1723.