Duperron, Jacques Davy

Duperron, Jacques Davy, a French cardinal, was born of Protestant parents at St. Lo, Normandy, November 15, 1556. His father was a Protestant minister, and was compelled during the persecutions to take refuge in Switzerland, where the son was carefully educated. In 1576 he was presented at the court of France where Henry III gave him an office. Finding that the Roman Church would open to him a more brilliant career, he joined it, and took priest's orders, devoting himself to polemics and to proselytizing. He took an active part in the conversion of Henry IV, and, in cooperation with cardinal D'Ossat, secured from the Pope absolution for the king in 1595. On this occasion he was made bishop of Evreux by the Pope at the suggestion of the king. He also secured the divorce of Henry from Margaret of Valois. Among his most formidable opponents was Du Plessis (q.v.) In 1604 he was made cardinal, two years after grand almoner of France, and finally archbishop of Sens. He was also a member of the Congregatio de auxiliis (q.v.), and suggested the decision of Clement VII on the subject. He died at Paris. September 5, 1618. His works were published a few years afterwards (Paris, 1620-22, 3 volumes, fol.). The first volume contains his Traite sur Eucharistie against Du Plessis; and the collection contains a number of poems. See Dupin, Ecclesiastical Writers, cent. 17; Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, 15:286; Wetzer u.Welte, Kirch.-Lex. 3:339.