Gerson, Jean

Gerson, Jean a French theologian, brother of Jean Charlier, was born at Gerson about 1384. He went, as did his brother, to pursue his studies at Paris, at the College of Navarre, where he was admitted to the number of students of theology in 1404. His love of solitude led him to enter the order of Celestins. He took the vows in 1409, at the monastery of the Holy Trinity, at Limay, near Mantes. After having performed the duties of sub-prior in various communities of his order, he was found at a convent in Lyons, where he gave a refuge to his other brother. This token of attachment was due to the chancellor, who sincerely loved him. Jean Gerson was at the time of his death prior of the house of Lyons, and carried with him to the tomb the reputation of a saint. He died in 1434 leaving, Epistola ad R.P. Anselmum, Cmelestinum, de Operibus Joannis, Cancellarii, Fratris sui, in volume 1 of the works of chancellor Gerson. The homonymy of these two, brothers caused Tractatus de Elevatione Jientis in Deum, etc., to be attributed to one of them, but it belonged to Jean Nyder, a German Dominican, who died in 1440. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.