Vernet, Jacob

Vernet, Jacob a Swiss theologian, was born at Geneva, Aug. 29, 1698, of a family originally from Seyne, in Provence, who had fled on account of their religion, to Geneva about 1680. He was early left an orphan, being the sixth of nine children; but under the care of his maternal uncle, Daniel Leclerc, he made rapid progress in study. He spent eight years at Paris, and then traveled in Italy. He began his ministerial career in 1722, and served successively the parishes of Jussey (1730), and Sacconex (1731), and finally at Geneva (1734). In 1737 he was chosen rector of the Academy in his native city, and taught, at first, belles-lettres and history, and from 1706 theology. He died there March 26, 1789. He wrote numerous works of a practical religious character, for which see Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Géneralé, s.v.