Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet

Profession: Bishop and Writer

Nationality:

Biography: Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet was a French bishop and theologian, best known for his sermons and his role as a leading advocate of the theory of the divine right of kings, which held that monarchs derive their authority directly from God. A powerful orator and influential court preacher to King Louis XIV of France, Bossuet is remembered as one of the most eloquent and persuasive figures in the history of French Catholicism.

Born in Dijon to a family of lawyers, Bossuet was educated by the Jesuits before entering the Sorbonne. He quickly gained a reputation for his sermons and was ultimately consecrated as a bishop in 1670. His eloquence in the pulpit further made him a prominent figure in the French Catholic Church beyond his titles.

Bossuet's theological and political views were most clearly expressed in his work Politique tirée de l'Écriture Sainte ("Politics Drawn from Holy Scripture"), in which he argued that governmental authority is divinely ordained and that kings are answerable only to God. This provided theological justification for the monarchy of Louis XIV.

As a theologian, Bossuet was a key figure in the fight against Protestantism, particularly in the context of the Counter-Reformation. His Histoire des variations des Églises protestantes ("History of the Variations of the Protestant Churches") is significant in this regard, critiquing the foundations and developments of Protestantism.

Bossuet was also involved in the education of the Dauphin, heir to the French throne, and wrote several works for his instruction. His Discours sur l'histoire universelle ("Discourse on Universal History"), for instance, concerns the relationship between religion and the state and provides an overview of the history of the world from a Christian perspective.

Born: September 27, 1627
Birthplace: Dijon, France
Star Sign: Libra

Died: April 12, 1704 (aged 76)