Charles-Louis Richard
Encyclopedia
Charles-Louis Richard was a Catholic theologian and publicist.
Richard was born at Blainville-sur-l'Eau, in Lorraine
. His family, though of noble descent, was poor, and he received his education in the schools of his native town. At the age of sixteen he entered the Dominican Order
and, after his religious profession
, was sent to study theology in Paris, where he received a Doctorate at the Sorbonne
. He next applied himself to preaching and the defense of religion against d'Alembert, Voltaire
, and their confederates. The outbreak of the French Revolution
forced him to seek refuge in Mons
, in Belgium. During the second invasion of that country by the French, in 1794, old age prevented him from fleeing, and, though he eluded his pursuers for some time, he was at last detected, tried by court martial, and shot.
Richard was born at Blainville-sur-l'Eau, in Lorraine
Lorraine (province)
The Duchy of Upper Lorraine was an historical duchy roughly corresponding with the present-day northeastern Lorraine region of France, including parts of modern Luxembourg and Germany. The main cities were Metz, Verdun, and the historic capital Nancy....
. His family, though of noble descent, was poor, and he received his education in the schools of his native town. At the age of sixteen he entered the Dominican Order
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...
and, after his religious 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...
, was sent to study theology in Paris, where he received a Doctorate at the Sorbonne
Sorbonne
The Sorbonne is an edifice of the Latin Quarter, in Paris, France, which has been the historical house of the former University of Paris...
. He next applied himself to preaching and the defense of religion against d'Alembert, Voltaire
Voltaire
François-Marie Arouet , better known by the pen name Voltaire , was a French Enlightenment writer, historian and philosopher famous for his wit and for his advocacy of civil liberties, including freedom of religion, free trade and separation of church and state...
, and their confederates. The outbreak of the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
forced him to seek refuge in Mons
Mons
Mons is a Walloon city and municipality located in the Belgian province of Hainaut, of which it is the capital. The Mons municipality includes the old communes of Cuesmes, Flénu, Ghlin, Hyon, Nimy, Obourg, Baudour , Jemappes, Ciply, Harmignies, Harveng, Havré, Maisières, Mesvin, Nouvelles,...
, in Belgium. During the second invasion of that country by the French, in 1794, old age prevented him from fleeing, and, though he eluded his pursuers for some time, he was at last detected, tried by court martial, and shot.
Publications
- Parallèle des Juifs qui ont crucifié Jésus-Christ, avec les Français qui ont exécuté leur roi ('Just as the Jews crucified Christ, the French have executed their King'; Mons, 1794)
- Bibliothèque sacrée, ou dictionnaire universelle des sciences ecclésiastiques (5 vols., Paris, 1760)
- Supplément (Paris, 1765), the last and enlarged edition being that of Paris, 1821–27, 29 vols.
- Analyses des conciles généraux et particuliers (5 vols., Paris, 1772–77).