Joseph de Jouvancy
Encyclopedia
Joseph de Jouvancy (September 14, 1643 – May 29, 1719) was a French poet, pedagogue, philologist, and historian.
on September 14, 1643. At the age of sixteen he entered the Society of Jesus
, and after completing his studies he taught grammar at the college at Compiègne
, and rhetoric at Caen
and the College of La Flèche. He made his profession
in the latter place in 1677 and was afterwards appointed professor at the Lycee Louis-le-Grand
in Paris. In 1699 he was called by his superiors to Rome to continue the history of the Society of Jesus begun by Niccolo Orlandini
, and was engaged on this work until his death.
Jouvancy wrote largely upon those topics which engaged his attention as a member of the order. He composed about ten tragedies, all of which were published in Paris, and several of which were frequently acted. It is not certain, however, that all the dramas ascribed to Jouvancy were written by him, for some of them are also attributed to other members of the order. Jouvancy also wrote many poems in Latin and Greek for special occasions. He procured the translation into Latin of many works in other languages, such as the funeral oration for Prince Henri de Bourbon, oldest son of Louis XIV, delivered in December 1683 in Paris, by the celebrated pulpit orator Louis Bourdaloue
, Cleander et Eudoxius, a translation of the Entretiens de Cléandre et d'Eudoxe of Father Daniel. This latter work is a response to the accusations brought against the Society of Jesus by its critics; in 1703 it was put on the Index
. The translation of the theological letters of Father Daniel to the Dominican
Father Alexander Natalis contains a comparison of the teachings of St. Thomas and of the theologians of the Society of Jesus concerning Probabilism
and its relation to the concept of Divine grace. In 1704 appeared Jouvancy's Appendix de Diis et heroibus poeticis, a widely read work which was a translation of Father Gautruche's Histoire poétique pour l'intelligence des poètes et auteurs anciens. Jouvancy also translated into Latin biographies, written by other Jesuits, of the saints of the order, St. Stanislaus Kostka
and St. John Francis Regis
.
Jouvancy edited a large number of school editions of Latin authors. The text was always revised for school use and supplied with foot-notes; these editions were frequently reissued both in France and other countries. These included the editions of the "Comedies" of Terence
, the "Odes" and Liber de arte poetica of Horace
, the "Epigrams" of Martial
, the "Metamorphoses" of Ovid
, and the philosophical writings of Cicero
, such as "De Officiis
", "Cato Major", and "Laelius". Jouvancy's Institutiones poeticae, published in 1718 and often reprinted, was another work intended for use in teaching. A number of editions also appeared of his Novus apparatus graeco-latinus, cum interpretatione gallica. This work, based on Isocrates
, Demosthenes
, and the leading Greek authors, was intended to encourage the cultivation of the mother tongue, as well as the study of the two classical languages. Jouvancy also delivered many orations and eulogies, for example on Louis XIV, his family, and his government, on the churches of Paris and the French nation. These were published in two volumes and from 1701 frequently reprinted.
A work of special importance was Jouvancy's Christianis litterarum magistris de ratione discendi et docendi (Paris, 1691). In 1696 he was commissioned by the Fourteenth Congregation of the Jesuits to adapt this work as a guide and method for the classical studies of the members of the Society. After careful examination of the manuscript by a commission of the order, it was published in Florence in 1703 as an official textbook under the title: Magistris scholarum inferiorum Societatis Jesu de ratione discendi et docendi. This edition was the basis of all later ones. In this pioneer work Jouvancy took the first steps in the method for the study of philology which was developed by the great investigators of antiquity of the nineteenth century at the German universities. It stated that Latin was to be the central point of instruction. The art of the teacher was separated into two main divisions: by the example of his own piety and virtue the teacher is to lead the pupil to the knowledge and service of the Creator; he is to bring the pupil to apply himself to his actual studies by fear of humiliation and an honorable spirit of competition. The principles of the De ratione discendi et docendi were used as a standard in all the German Jesuit colleges.
After he was called to Rome, Jouvancy labored on the second half of the fifth part of the history of the Society, which embraced the period 1591-1616. The work was forbidden in France by decrees of Parlement of 22 February and 24 March 1715, because it expressed opinions contravening the royal rights of sovereigns, that is, opposing the royal absolutism of the Bourbons. In Rome as well the work was placed in part on the Index by decree of 29 July 1722, because in some passages it contradicted the papal decree De ritibus Sinensibus quibus deletis liber permittitur (which being destroyed, the book is permitted). According to documents in the archives of the order this part of Jouvancy's book was written before the publication of the papal decree.
Jouvancy died in Rome 29 May 29, 1719.
Life
Jouvancy was born in ParisParis
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
on September 14, 1643. At the age of sixteen he entered the Society of Jesus
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
, and after completing his studies he taught grammar at the college at Compiègne
Compiègne
Compiègne is a city in northern France. It is designated municipally as a commune within the département of Oise.The city is located along the Oise River...
, and rhetoric at Caen
Caen
Caen is a commune in northwestern France. It is the prefecture of the Calvados department and the capital of the Basse-Normandie region. It is located inland from the English Channel....
and the College of La Flèche. He made his profession
Profession (religious)
The term religious profession is defined in the 1983 Code of Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church in relation to members of religious institutes as follows:By religious profession members make a public vow to observe the three evangelical counsels...
in the latter place in 1677 and was afterwards appointed professor at the Lycee Louis-le-Grand
Lycée Louis-le-Grand
The Lycée Louis-le-Grand is a public secondary school located in Paris, widely regarded as one of the most rigorous in France. Formerly known as the Collège de Clermont, it was named in king Louis XIV of France's honor after he visited the school and offered his patronage.It offers both a...
in Paris. In 1699 he was called by his superiors to Rome to continue the history of the Society of Jesus begun by Niccolo Orlandini
Niccolò Orlandini
-Biography:He was born at Florence.He entered the Jesuit novitiate in 1572, became rector of the Jesuit college at Nola and was master of novices at Naples for five years....
, and was engaged on this work until his death.
Jouvancy wrote largely upon those topics which engaged his attention as a member of the order. He composed about ten tragedies, all of which were published in Paris, and several of which were frequently acted. It is not certain, however, that all the dramas ascribed to Jouvancy were written by him, for some of them are also attributed to other members of the order. Jouvancy also wrote many poems in Latin and Greek for special occasions. He procured the translation into Latin of many works in other languages, such as the funeral oration for Prince Henri de Bourbon, oldest son of Louis XIV, delivered in December 1683 in Paris, by the celebrated pulpit orator Louis Bourdaloue
Louis Bourdaloue
Louis Bourdaloue was a French Jesuit and preacher.He was born in Bourges. At the age of sixteen he entered the Society of Jesus, and was appointed successively professor of rhetoric, philosophy and moral theology, in various Jesuit colleges...
, Cleander et Eudoxius, a translation of the Entretiens de Cléandre et d'Eudoxe of Father Daniel. This latter work is a response to the accusations brought against the Society of Jesus by its critics; in 1703 it was put on the Index
Index Librorum Prohibitorum
The Index Librorum Prohibitorum was a list of publications prohibited by the Catholic Church. A first version was promulgated by Pope Paul IV in 1559, and a revised and somewhat relaxed form was authorized at the Council of Trent...
. The translation of the theological letters of Father Daniel to the Dominican
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
Father Alexander Natalis contains a comparison of the teachings of St. Thomas and of the theologians of the Society of Jesus concerning Probabilism
Probabilism
In theology and philosophy, probabilism refers to an ancient Greek doctrine of academic skepticism. It holds that in the absence of certainty, probability is the best criterion...
and its relation to the concept of Divine grace. In 1704 appeared Jouvancy's Appendix de Diis et heroibus poeticis, a widely read work which was a translation of Father Gautruche's Histoire poétique pour l'intelligence des poètes et auteurs anciens. Jouvancy also translated into Latin biographies, written by other Jesuits, of the saints of the order, St. Stanislaus Kostka
Stanislaus Kostka
Stanisław Kostka S.J. was a Polish novice of the Society of Jesus. In the Catholic Church as Saint Stanislaus Kostka....
and St. John Francis Regis
John Francis Regis
John Francis Regis, also known as Saint Jean-François Régis, Saint François Régis, and St. Regis, , was a French priest of the Society of Jesus, recognized as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church....
.
Jouvancy edited a large number of school editions of Latin authors. The text was always revised for school use and supplied with foot-notes; these editions were frequently reissued both in France and other countries. These included the editions of the "Comedies" of Terence
Terence
Publius Terentius Afer , better known in English as Terence, was a playwright of the Roman Republic, of North African descent. His comedies were performed for the first time around 170–160 BC. Terentius Lucanus, a Roman senator, brought Terence to Rome as a slave, educated him and later on,...
, the "Odes" and Liber de arte poetica of Horace
Horace
Quintus Horatius Flaccus , known in the English-speaking world as Horace, was the leading Roman lyric poet during the time of Augustus.-Life:...
, the "Epigrams" of Martial
Martial
Marcus Valerius Martialis , was a Latin poet from Hispania best known for his twelve books of Epigrams, published in Rome between AD 86 and 103, during the reigns of the emperors Domitian, Nerva and Trajan...
, the "Metamorphoses" of Ovid
Ovid
Publius Ovidius Naso , known as Ovid in the English-speaking world, was a Roman poet who is best known as the author of the three major collections of erotic poetry: Heroides, Amores, and Ars Amatoria...
, and the philosophical writings of Cicero
Cicero
Marcus Tullius Cicero , was a Roman philosopher, statesman, lawyer, political theorist, and Roman constitutionalist. He came from a wealthy municipal family of the equestrian order, and is widely considered one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists.He introduced the Romans to the chief...
, such as "De Officiis
De Officiis
De Officiis is an essay by Marcus Tullius Cicero divided into three books, in which Cicero expounds his conception of the best way to live, behave, and observe moral obligations.- Origin :...
", "Cato Major", and "Laelius". Jouvancy's Institutiones poeticae, published in 1718 and often reprinted, was another work intended for use in teaching. A number of editions also appeared of his Novus apparatus graeco-latinus, cum interpretatione gallica. This work, based on Isocrates
Isocrates
Isocrates , an ancient Greek rhetorician, was one of the ten Attic orators. In his time, he was probably the most influential rhetorician in Greece and made many contributions to rhetoric and education through his teaching and written works....
, Demosthenes
Demosthenes
Demosthenes was a prominent Greek statesman and orator of ancient Athens. His orations constitute a significant expression of contemporary Athenian intellectual prowess and provide an insight into the politics and culture of ancient Greece during the 4th century BC. Demosthenes learned rhetoric by...
, and the leading Greek authors, was intended to encourage the cultivation of the mother tongue, as well as the study of the two classical languages. Jouvancy also delivered many orations and eulogies, for example on Louis XIV, his family, and his government, on the churches of Paris and the French nation. These were published in two volumes and from 1701 frequently reprinted.
A work of special importance was Jouvancy's Christianis litterarum magistris de ratione discendi et docendi (Paris, 1691). In 1696 he was commissioned by the Fourteenth Congregation of the Jesuits to adapt this work as a guide and method for the classical studies of the members of the Society. After careful examination of the manuscript by a commission of the order, it was published in Florence in 1703 as an official textbook under the title: Magistris scholarum inferiorum Societatis Jesu de ratione discendi et docendi. This edition was the basis of all later ones. In this pioneer work Jouvancy took the first steps in the method for the study of philology which was developed by the great investigators of antiquity of the nineteenth century at the German universities. It stated that Latin was to be the central point of instruction. The art of the teacher was separated into two main divisions: by the example of his own piety and virtue the teacher is to lead the pupil to the knowledge and service of the Creator; he is to bring the pupil to apply himself to his actual studies by fear of humiliation and an honorable spirit of competition. The principles of the De ratione discendi et docendi were used as a standard in all the German Jesuit colleges.
After he was called to Rome, Jouvancy labored on the second half of the fifth part of the history of the Society, which embraced the period 1591-1616. The work was forbidden in France by decrees of Parlement of 22 February and 24 March 1715, because it expressed opinions contravening the royal rights of sovereigns, that is, opposing the royal absolutism of the Bourbons. In Rome as well the work was placed in part on the Index by decree of 29 July 1722, because in some passages it contradicted the papal decree De ritibus Sinensibus quibus deletis liber permittitur (which being destroyed, the book is permitted). According to documents in the archives of the order this part of Jouvancy's book was written before the publication of the papal decree.
Jouvancy died in Rome 29 May 29, 1719.