Renaudot, Eusebe

Renaudot, Eusebe a French savant, was born at Paris, July 20, 1646. His early studies were carried on among the Jesuits, and in the College of Harcourt. On their completion he entered the Congregation of the Oratory, but without taking orders. Though he remained but a short time in this institution, the whole of his life was passed in similar ones, and was devoted to his favorite studies of theology and Oriental literature. His knowledge of ecclesiastical affairs caused him to be employed in many negotiations with foreign countries, and his talent made him a favorite at court. In 1700 abbe Renaudot went to Rome, and received from Clement XI the priory of Frossay, in Brittany. During his whole career he endeavored to re-establish the printing of the Oriental classics, and interested the duke of Orleans in the subject, but it was never accomplished. He died at Paris, Sept. 1, 1720. Renaudot's writings were numerous, though he published nothing until a few years before his death. We mention, Defense de la Perpetuite de la Foi, etc. (Paris, 1708): — Gennadii Patriarchce Homiloe de Eucharistia, etc. (ibid. 1709): — La Penpetuite de la iFoide l'Eglise sur les Sacrements, etc. (ibid. 1713): — Historia Patriarcharum Alexandrinorum Jacobitarunm, etc. (ibid. 1713). This is the most complete work ever written upon the history of Egyptian Christianity. It is based upon the Arabic narrative of bishop Severus, and contains a complete list of the Jacobite patriarchs from Cyril to John Touki, who lived early in the 18th century: — Liturgium Orientalium Collectio (ibid. 1715-16): — Anciennes Relations des Indes et de la Chine, etc. (ibid. 1718). Besides these, he left works on purely literary subjects, and several valuable MSS.: — Histoire de Saladin': — Histoire des Patriarches Syniens et de la Secte iNestorienne, and Traite de l'Eglise d'Ethiopie. See De Beri,Hist. de l'Acad. des Inscript. v; Niceron, Memoires, 12 and 20. — Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.