Cohon, Anthyme Denis

Cohon, Anthyme Denis a French prelate, was born at Craon, in Anjou, in 1594. He was sent to his uncle, canon of the cathedral of Mans, to commence his studies, and thus had no difficulty in gaining admittance to the college of Angers. He hesitated for a time between oratory and law, but finally chose the former. On the resignation of his uncle he became canon of Mans, and later bishop of Nismes. His conduct during the pestilence of 1640 was worthy of much praise. In 1641 he assisted at the assembly of Nantes. On the death of cardinal Richelieu, who had been his patron and protector, he attached himself to cardinal Mazarin. But the Protestants and even the Catholics became his enemies, and Mazarin was obliged to remove him, and he accordingly sent him to the see of Dol. Cohon soon after abdicated in favor of Robert Cupif. After spending two years at the priory of St. Lonan, Cohon returned to the court, and rendered valuable service to Mazarin. At the consecration of Louis XIV he occupied the pulpit of the church at Rheims, and pronounced a discourse. Having already received the abbey of Flaran, after the consecration the young king also gave to him the abbey of Le Tronchet. His recall to the bishopric of Nismes only surrounded him again with trouble and difficulties, and he died there November 7, 1670, leaving, Lettre a. M. le Cardinal de Lyon, found in MS. in the national library: — Lettre Contenant la Cabale Secrete avec Mazarin (Paris, 1649): — A qui Aime la Verite (anonymous): — Ordonnances Synodales du Diocese de Nismes (1670). See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.; Biog. Universelle, s.v.