Ancillon, David

Ancillon, David was born March 17, 1617, at Metz, where his father was an eminent lawyer. After studying at the Jesuits' College in Metz, he went to Geneva in 1633, to complete his studies in philosophy and theology, and in 1641 was licensed to preach by the Protestant Synod of Charenton, and appointed minister of Meaux, where he remained till 1653, when he returned to Metz; and here he continued to officiate with great reputation till the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, when he retired to Frankfort, and afterward to Berlin, where he was received with great favor by the Elector of Brandenburg. He died Sept. 3, 1692. Among his writings are, Traite de Tradition (Sedan, 1657, 4to); Vie de Farel (Amst. 1691, 12mo), etc.. Perhaps, however, the most favorable impression of his varied learning is to be obtained from the work entitled "Melanges Critiques de Litterature, recueilli des Conversations de feu M. Ancillon." published at Basle in 1698 by his son Charles, who was a man of literary distinction (see Haag, La France Protestante, 1, 80; Bayle, Dict. s.v.).