Robert Arnauld d'Andilly facts for kids
Robert Arnauld d’Andilly (born May 28, 1589 – died September 27, 1674) was an important French writer, poet, and translator in the 1600s. He was also a special advisor to the French Queen, Marie de' Medici, helping with money matters.
He was known for his beautiful writing style and was one of the main poets and writers of French classicism during his time. Robert Arnauld d’Andilly was a very religious Catholic. He played a big part in the history of a religious movement called Jansenism. He was also one of the "Solitaires" (meaning "hermits") of Port-Royal-des-Champs, a famous abbey. Besides his writing and religious life, he was also famous for his work in developing how to prune fruit trees, which he loved doing.
Contents
Early Life (1589–1613)
Robert Arnauld was born in Paris. He was the oldest of twenty children! His father, Antoine Arnauld, was a lawyer for Queen Catherine de Médicis. Robert came from a well-known family. His sisters and brothers included Jacqueline (who became Mother Angélique, a famous nun), Henri (who became a bishop), and Antoine (a smart professor from the Sorbonne, often called "le grand Arnauld").
Starting a Career in Government
Robert Arnauld d’Andilly began his career as a government advisor, known as a conseiller d’État. This job meant he gave advice to the King and Queen, especially on money and important state matters.
Life at Court (1613–1626)
During this time, Robert Arnauld d’Andilly worked closely with the French court. He was a trusted advisor and continued to handle important financial questions for the Queen.
Religious Life and Retreat (1626–1644)
After some time at court, Robert Arnauld d’Andilly decided to step back from public life. He spent time focusing on his religious beliefs and writing. This period was important for his spiritual growth and for his connection to the Port-Royal abbey.
Becoming a Solitaire (1644–1653)
From 1644, Robert Arnauld d’Andilly became one of the "Solitaires" of Port-Royal. These were people who lived a simple, religious life near the abbey, dedicating themselves to prayer, study, and manual labor. They were known for their strict religious practices and their focus on inner reflection.
The Fronde Period
During this time, France faced a series of civil wars known as the Fronde. These wars were fought between the King's government and powerful nobles and parliaments. Robert Arnauld d’Andilly, despite his religious retreat, was involved in some of these political events due to his family's connections and his past experience in government.
Later Years and Religious Battles (1653–1673)
In his later years, Robert Arnauld d’Andilly continued his religious and literary work. He also faced challenges related to the Jansenist movement, which was a group within the Catholic Church that held certain beliefs about grace and salvation.
Jansenism and its Challenges
Jansenism was a religious movement that faced strong opposition from other parts of the Catholic Church. Robert Arnauld d’Andilly was a strong supporter of Jansenist ideas. This led to many debates and difficulties for him and his family. Despite the challenges, he remained dedicated to his beliefs.
Main Works
Robert Arnauld d’Andilly was a very productive writer and translator. He wrote poetry, religious works, and translated many important texts from Latin and Greek into French.
Works in French
- Stances pour Jésus-Christ (Poems for Jesus Christ), 1628.
- Poème sur la vie de Jésus-Christ (Poem on the Life of Jesus Christ), 1634.
- Les Confessions de St Augustin, traduites en français (The Confessions of St. Augustine, translated into French), 1649. This was a very popular translation.
- La manière de cultiver les arbres fruitiers (How to Grow Fruit Trees), 1652. This book showed his passion for gardening and pruning.
- Les vies des Saints Pères des déserts (The Lives of the Desert Saints), 1653. This was a large collection of lives of early Christian hermits.
- Histoire des Juifs, écrite par Flavius Joseph (History of the Jews, written by Flavius Josephus), 1667. Another important translation.
- Mémoires de Messire Robert Arnauld d'Andilly, écrits par lui-même (Memoirs of Robert Arnauld d'Andilly, written by himself), published after his death in 1734.
Images for kids
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La mère Angélique Arnauld. Portrait of Philippe de Champaigne
See also
- Guirlande de Julie
