Bion, Jeande-dieu-rene

Bion, Jean-de-Dieu-Rene a French theologian, was born at Niort in 1704. He entered the ecclesiastical profession, became rector of Notre Dame of Niort and died May 7, 1774. He bequeathed his large library to his native city, the beginning of which was established there, and which the municipal body was eager to open to the public. Bion united with the talent for composing excellent discourses, that of reading well what he had written. Many of his sermons are preserved in the Journal Chretien. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.