François Catrou

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François Catrou (born December 8, 1659 in Paris , † October 18, 1737 ) was a French Jesuit , historian and translator.

Life

Catrou was the son of a secretary to Louis XIV. He entered the Jesuit order at the age of 18 and soon distinguished himself as a preacher. He was one of the co-founders of the scientific journal Journal de Trévoux , published by the Jesuits from 1701 , of which he was one of the main editors for over 12 years.

In addition, he wrote two controversial books about the Anabaptists and the Quakers and another about the Mughal Empire, based on the reports of the Venetian traveler and adventurer Niccolò Manucci . The book was translated into Italian in 1751 and into English in 1826. This was followed by a comprehensive presentation of the history of the Roman Empire in 21 volumes between 1725 and 1748 . The work was supplemented by critical comments and remarks on the geography of Pierre-Julien Rouillé.

Catrou also translated Virgil's works into French. The translation is quite free and not always accurate, but his critical and historical remarks and the biography of Virgil reveal a precise knowledge of his life and work. According to his own statements, Catrou's Virgil translation accompanied the English historian Edward Gibbon in the early days of his studies.

Fonts

  • Histoire des anabaptistes, contenant leur doctrine, les diverses opinions qui les divisent en plusieurs sectes, les troubles qu'ils ont causés et enfin tout ce qui s'est passé de plus considérable à leur égard, depuis l'an 1521 . 1699
  • Histoire générale de l'empire du Mogol, depuis sa fondation, sur les mémoires portugais de M. Niccolao Manucci . 1705-1715
  • Histoire romaine, avec des notes historiques, geographiques et critiques , avec Pierre-Julien Rouillé. 21 volumes, 1725-1748
  • Histoire des trembleurs . 1733.

Translations

  • Virgil : Les Œuvres, traduction nouvelle, avec des notes critiques et historiques . 6 volumes, 1716.

literature

personal data
SURNAME Catrou, François
BRIEF DESCRIPTION French Jesuit, historian and translator
DATE OF BIRTH December 8, 1659
PLACE OF BIRTH Paris
DATE OF DEATH October 18, 1737