Renan

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

JOSEPH ERNEST (rē nang), ), a French writer; born in Tréguier, France, Feb. 27, 1823. He studied at the seminary of St. Sulpice, Paris, but in 1845 gave up all intention of becoming a priest and devoted himself to historical and linguistic studies, especially the study of Oriental languages. In 1848 he obtained the Volney prize for an essay on the Semitic languages. In 1849 he was sent by the Academy of nscriptions and Belles Lettres on a mission to Italy, and in 1860 on a mission to Syria. In 1862 he was appointed Professor of Hebrew, Chaldee, and Syriac in the Collége de France, but the skeptical views manifested in his "Life of Jesus" (1863), raised an outcry against him, and he was removed from his chair, to be restored again, however, in 1871. hov This work, the publication of which caused intense excitement ent throughout Europe, was the first part of a comprehensive work on the "History of the Origins of Christianity," which includes "The Apostles" (1866); "St. Paul" (1867); "The Antichrist" (1873); "The Gospels" (1877); "The Christian Church" (1879), and "Marcus Aurelius" (1880), all written from the standpoint of one who disbelieves in the supernatural claims of Christianity. Renan's latest important work is the "History of the People of Israel till the Time of King David." Other works are "General History and Comparative System of Semitic Languages," "Studies in Religious History," "Discourses and Lectures," several philosophical dramas, and his personal reminiscences called "Recollections Childhood and Youth." He became a member of the French Academy in 1878. He died Oct. 2, 1892.