Olivier, Jean

Olivier, Jean a French Roman Catholic theologian, was born near the opening of the 16th century. He joined the Benedictines in Poitou, and afterwards removed to the abbey of St. Denis, near Paris, where he became great almoner and vicar-general. After he was elected abbot, he surrendered his claims in favor of the cardinal of Bourbon, at the request of Francis I, who gave him in exchange the abbey of St. Medard at Soissonis. In 1532 he resigned this dignity to become bishop of Angers. He had a great reputation for learning and piety, and enacted very strict regulations against the laxity of ecclesiastical discipline in his diocese. Some say that he was in favor of the Reformation, and Crespin reports that he permitted the preaching of the Gospel at Angers. He died there April 12, 1540. He wrote well in Latin, as is shown by his own epitaph, that of Louis XII, quoted by Papire Masson, an ode to Salmon Macrin, and especially by a poem entitled Pandora Jani Oliverii Andium hierophante (Paris. 1542, 12mo). This poem, which was much read when it appeared, was published by Stephen Dolet, and translated by William Michel into French verses (new ed. Rheims, 1608, 8vo). See Scevola de Sainte- Marthe, Elogia, lib. ii; Gallia Christiana, 2:147; Doublet, Hist. de l'Abbaye de St. Denys; Crespin, L'Etat de lEglise; Haag, La France Protestante.