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{{Short description|French writer (1713–1755)}}
{{Short description|French writer (1713–1755)}}
'''Edmé-François Mallet''', also abbé Mallet, (29 January 1713, [[Melun]] – 25 September 1755, [[Châteaurenard]]) was an 18th-century French theologian and [[Encyclopédistes|encyclopédiste]].<ref>[http://www.persee.fr/web/revues/home/prescript/article/rde_0769-0886_1990_num_8_1_1057 Frank A. Kafker & Jacques Chouillet, Notices sur les auteurs des dix-sept volumes de « discours » de l'''Encyclopédie'', ''Recherches sur Diderot et sur l'Encyclopédie'' (1990), vol. 8, pp.&nbsp;101–102.]</ref><ref>[https://artflsrv04.uchicago.edu/philologic4.7/encyclopedie0922/navigate/6/2 ''Encyclopédie'' (1756), vol. 6, pp. iii–v.]</ref><ref>[https://data.bnf.fr/14566715/edme_mallet/ Edme Mallet, Bibliothèque nationale de France.]</ref>
'''Edmé-François Mallet''', also '''Edme-Francois Mallet''' or '''Abbé Mallet''' (29 January 1713, [[Melun]] – 25 September 1755, [[Châteaurenard]]), was an eighteenth-century French theologian and [[Encyclopédistes|encyclopédiste]].<ref>[http://www.persee.fr/web/revues/home/prescript/article/rde_0769-0886_1990_num_8_1_1057 Frank A. Kafker and Jacques Chouillet, "Notices sur les auteurs des dix-sept volumes de « discours » de l'''Encyclopédie''," ''Recherches sur Diderot et sur l'Encyclopédie'' 8 (1990): 101–102.]</ref><ref>[https://artflsrv04.uchicago.edu/philologic4.7/encyclopedie0922/navigate/6/2 ''Encyclopédie'' (1756), 6: iii–v.]</ref><ref>[https://data.bnf.fr/14566715/edme_mallet/ Edme Mallet, Bibliothèque nationale de France.]</ref>


== Biography ==
== Biography ==
Edmé-François Mallet first received his education by the country priest of his birthplace and later studied at the college of the [[Barnabites]] in [[Montargis]], before he went to Paris. There, he was tutor of [[Ange Laurent Lalive de Jully]] (1725-1779), a future {{Interlanguage link multi|Introducteur des ambassadeurs|fr|3=Introducteur des ambassadeurs|lt=Announcer of ambassadors}} as well as honorary member of the [[Académie royale de peinture et de sculpture]].<ref>Holzhey, Helmut; Mudroch, Vilem; Ueberweg, Friedrich; Rohbeck, Johannes: ''Grundriss der Geschichte der Philosophie: Die Philosophie des 18. Jahrhunderts.'' 2 Halbbde. Schwabe-Verlag, Basel (2008) {{ISBN|978-3-7965-2445-5}}, (p.&nbsp;289–290)</ref>


He entered into license in 1742 at the Faculty of Theology of Paris and was an Associate in the House and Royal Society of Navarre. It was customary at the end of licenses, that the two first places went to the priors of Sorbonne, the following two to the most talented graduates and the fifth to the best student without diplomas. Mallet won fifth place unanimously. During his studies in Paris, he was also temporarily private teacher of the [[Ferme générale|Fermier Général]] [[Louis Denis Lalive de Bellegarde]] (1680-1751).
Edmé-François Mallet received his first education from a country priest in his hometown. Later he studied at the college of the [[Barnabites]] in [[Montargis]], before going to Paris, where he trained for the priesthood and earned a doctorate in theology in 1742. While in Paris, he worked as a private tutor, notably with the family of the tax-collector ([[Ferme générale|''fermier général'']]) [[Louis Denis Lalive de Bellegarde]] (1680-1751).


In 1744 he returned by his family in Melun and remained seven years. In 1747, he published an ''Essai sur l’étude des belles-lettres''. After his mother's death in 1751, he moved back to Paris, and took a chair of theology at the [[Collège de Navarre]].
In 1744, fed up with a later experience of tutoring "great" families, Mallet returned to Melun to become a village priest. There he remained for seven years. In 1747, he published an ''Essai sur l’étude des belles-lettres''. After his mother's death in 1751, he moved back to Paris and took a chair of theology at the [[Collège de Navarre]].


In 1753, he published an ''Essai sur les bienséances oratoires'' and ''Principes pour la lecture des Orateurs'' in three volumes. In 1754, appeared his ''Principes pour la lecture des Poëtes''. He also translated an ''Histoire de Davila'' which was published only after his death. He began to gather sources to address two major projects: ''Histoire générale de toutes les guerres de France de l’établissement de la monarchie jusqu’à Louis XIV'' and a ''History of the [[Council of Trent]]''.
In 1753, he published an ''Essai sur les bienséances oratoires'' and ''Principes pour la lecture des Orateurs'' in three volumes. In 1754, his ''Principes pour la lecture des Poëtes'' was published. He also translated a ''Histoire de Davila'', which was published only after his death. At this time, he began to gather sources for two major projects: ''Histoire générale de toutes les guerres de France de l’établissement de la monarchie jusqu’à Louis XIV'' and a ''History of the [[Council of Trent]]''.


For the [[Encyclopédie ou Dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers|Encyclopédie]] by [[Denis Diderot]] and [[Jean le Rond d’Alembert]], he wrote more than a thousand articles with a focus on trading (over 500 articles), theology, history (about 600 ones) and literature (200) but died of angina well before the completion of the project. These articles reported information often from already given texts and reference works. Several of his articles with historical content were revised by [[Nicolas Lenglet Du Fresnoy]] and edited by [[Jean-François Marmontel]] for their literary aspect.
In November 1747, Mallet had begun his involvement with the French [[Encyclopédie ou Dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers|Encyclopédie]] (1752-72), co-edited by [[Denis Diderot]] and [[Jean le Rond d’Alembert]]. Working through the end of his life in 1755, Mallet signed more than two thousand articles, with a focus on trade (over 500 articles), religion (over 500 articles), history (over 600 articles), and literature (over 200 articles). His articles represented compilations from previously published texts, including reference works such as [[Ephraim Chambers]]’ ''[[Cyclopædia, or an Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences|Cyclopaedia]]'' (1728).<ref>Frank A. Kafker and Serena L. Kafker, ''The Encyclopedists as Individuals: A Biographical Dictionary of the Authors of the Encyclopédie'' (Oxford: Voltaire Foundation, 1988), 238-43.</ref> Thus, his article “Anthropophages” has often been cited as evidence of the anti-religious, subversive quality of the ''Encyclopédie'', namely for its comparison of the Eucharist to cannibalism, but the whole article was clearly translated from Chambers and merely approved by Mallet.<ref>Marie Leca-Tsiomis, "Le Capuchon des cordeliers," ''Recherches sur Diderot et sur l'Encyclopédie'' 50 (2015): 349-50.</ref> After his death, articles continued to appear under his signature, but they may have been altered by Diderot or someone else.<ref>Kafker and Kafker, ''Encyclopedists as Individuals'', 241.</ref>


== Controversies ==
== A Controversy ==
If Abbé Mallet demonstrated a great erudition, his stance in theological articles and categorical tone can lead the reader to wonder why he was chosen as editor for this kind of texts, which were intended to relativize and even ridiculize religion. Indeed, Father Mallet seemed to show an orthodox mind for everything related to religion. He particularly manifested a fierce hatred for all heretical beliefs.


In an article of 1976, Walter Rex argued against the received view of Mallet, namely that he represented an element of moderation among Catholic clergymen, one who had been deliberately recruited by Diderot and D’Alembert. Rather, Rex speculated, Mallet may have been a “Trojan horse” in the service of [[Jean-François Boyer]], the bishop of Mirepoix, a bitter enemy of the [[Jansenist]]s and the philosophes: “we may conclude that this protégé of the former bishop of Mirepoix was deliberately subversive to the 'enlightened' objectives of the ''Encyclopédie'', in fact he was serving the reactionary element of the French clergy.”<ref>Walter E. Rex, "'Arche de Noé' and Other Religious Articles By Abbé Mallet for the ''Encyclopédie''," ''Eighteenth-Century Studies'' 9 (1976): 333-52.</ref>
It appears that Father Mallet was actually recommended by [[Jean-François Boyer]], the Bishop of Mirepoix, a bitter enemy of the [[Jansenist]] and the [[Philosophes]], and it is possible that Mallet was a [[Trojan Horse]] in his service. But it is also possible that he acted as a safeguard: If the ''Encyclopédie'' in its infancy had exceeded the limits of decency of the time in

religion, perhaps the project would have had later many more problems that it actually had.
Rex’s views were contested by Frank Kafker. Kafker pointed out that Mallet was recruited to work on the ''Encyclopédie'' just a month after Diderot and D’Alembert were appointed editors, at which time the ''Encyclopédie'' did not have a reputation for being critical of religion. Furthermore, Mallet behaved “moderately” in some ways, condemning the [[St. Bartholomew's Day massacre|St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre]] and upholding a hearing for the condemned contributor Claude Yvon, for example. Finally, Diderot had “cordial” relations with Mallet, and D’Alembert praised him as a moderate, albeit with exaggeration.<ref>Kafker and Kafker, ''Encyclopedists as Individuals'', 238-43; Frank A. Kafker, "Courrier," ''Recherches sur Diderot et sur l'Encyclopédie'' 11 (1991): 182-83.</ref>

More recently, Reginald McGinnis has pointed out that research on the ''Encyclopédie'' over the past several decades has invalidated much of Rex’s original argument. In particular, quite a few of the articles in the ''Encyclopédie'' that Rex citied as evidence of Mallet's reactionary or ultra-orthodox character turn out to have been copied from Chambers’ ''Cyclopaedia''. Furthermore, McGinnis’s own research suggests that Mallet’s published articles on the Jansenists, for example, were in tune with those of D’Alembert and other philosophes.<ref>Reginald McGinnis, "Apology for the Abbé Mallet," ''French Studies'' 69 (2015): 159-72.</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
Line 23: Line 24:


== Main works ==
== Main works ==
*1747: ''Essai sur l’étude des belles-lettres''
* 1747: ''Essai sur l’étude des belles-lettres''
*1753: ''Principes pour la lecture des orateurs.''
* 1753: ''Principes pour la lecture des orateurs.''
*1753: ''Essai sur les bienséances oratoires''
* 1753: ''Essai sur les bienséances oratoires''


== Bibliography ==
== Bibliography ==
Line 34: Line 35:
* [http://data.bnf.fr/14566715/edme_mallet/ Edme Mallet] on [[data.bnf.fr]]
* [http://data.bnf.fr/14566715/edme_mallet/ Edme Mallet] on [[data.bnf.fr]]
* [https://fr.wikisource.org/wiki/Auteur:Edme-Fran%C3%A7ois_Mallet Edme-François Mallet] on Wikisource
* [https://fr.wikisource.org/wiki/Auteur:Edme-Fran%C3%A7ois_Mallet Edme-François Mallet] on Wikisource
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170118035603/http://xn--encyclopdie-ibb.eu/index.php/beaux-arts/665610327-poesie Some articles on poetry by Mallet]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170118035603/http://xn--encyclopdie-ibb.eu/index.php/beaux-arts/665610327-poesie Some articles on poetry by Mallet]
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


Latest revision as of 18:05, 31 July 2023

Edmé-François Mallet, also Edme-Francois Mallet or Abbé Mallet (29 January 1713, Melun – 25 September 1755, Châteaurenard), was an eighteenth-century French theologian and encyclopédiste.[1][2][3]

Biography

[edit]

Edmé-François Mallet received his first education from a country priest in his hometown. Later he studied at the college of the Barnabites in Montargis, before going to Paris, where he trained for the priesthood and earned a doctorate in theology in 1742. While in Paris, he worked as a private tutor, notably with the family of the tax-collector (fermier général) Louis Denis Lalive de Bellegarde (1680-1751).

In 1744, fed up with a later experience of tutoring "great" families, Mallet returned to Melun to become a village priest. There he remained for seven years. In 1747, he published an Essai sur l’étude des belles-lettres. After his mother's death in 1751, he moved back to Paris and took a chair of theology at the Collège de Navarre.

In 1753, he published an Essai sur les bienséances oratoires and Principes pour la lecture des Orateurs in three volumes. In 1754, his Principes pour la lecture des Poëtes was published. He also translated a Histoire de Davila, which was published only after his death. At this time, he began to gather sources for two major projects: Histoire générale de toutes les guerres de France de l’établissement de la monarchie jusqu’à Louis XIV and a History of the Council of Trent.

In November 1747, Mallet had begun his involvement with the French Encyclopédie (1752-72), co-edited by Denis Diderot and Jean le Rond d’Alembert. Working through the end of his life in 1755, Mallet signed more than two thousand articles, with a focus on trade (over 500 articles), religion (over 500 articles), history (over 600 articles), and literature (over 200 articles). His articles represented compilations from previously published texts, including reference works such as Ephraim Chambers’ Cyclopaedia (1728).[4] Thus, his article “Anthropophages” has often been cited as evidence of the anti-religious, subversive quality of the Encyclopédie, namely for its comparison of the Eucharist to cannibalism, but the whole article was clearly translated from Chambers and merely approved by Mallet.[5] After his death, articles continued to appear under his signature, but they may have been altered by Diderot or someone else.[6]

A Controversy

[edit]

In an article of 1976, Walter Rex argued against the received view of Mallet, namely that he represented an element of moderation among Catholic clergymen, one who had been deliberately recruited by Diderot and D’Alembert. Rather, Rex speculated, Mallet may have been a “Trojan horse” in the service of Jean-François Boyer, the bishop of Mirepoix, a bitter enemy of the Jansenists and the philosophes: “we may conclude that this protégé of the former bishop of Mirepoix was deliberately subversive to the 'enlightened' objectives of the Encyclopédie, in fact he was serving the reactionary element of the French clergy.”[7]

Rex’s views were contested by Frank Kafker. Kafker pointed out that Mallet was recruited to work on the Encyclopédie just a month after Diderot and D’Alembert were appointed editors, at which time the Encyclopédie did not have a reputation for being critical of religion. Furthermore, Mallet behaved “moderately” in some ways, condemning the St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre and upholding a hearing for the condemned contributor Claude Yvon, for example. Finally, Diderot had “cordial” relations with Mallet, and D’Alembert praised him as a moderate, albeit with exaggeration.[8]

More recently, Reginald McGinnis has pointed out that research on the Encyclopédie over the past several decades has invalidated much of Rex’s original argument. In particular, quite a few of the articles in the Encyclopédie that Rex citied as evidence of Mallet's reactionary or ultra-orthodox character turn out to have been copied from Chambers’ Cyclopaedia. Furthermore, McGinnis’s own research suggests that Mallet’s published articles on the Jansenists, for example, were in tune with those of D’Alembert and other philosophes.[9]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Frank A. Kafker and Jacques Chouillet, "Notices sur les auteurs des dix-sept volumes de « discours » de l'Encyclopédie," Recherches sur Diderot et sur l'Encyclopédie 8 (1990): 101–102.
  2. ^ Encyclopédie (1756), 6: iii–v.
  3. ^ Edme Mallet, Bibliothèque nationale de France.
  4. ^ Frank A. Kafker and Serena L. Kafker, The Encyclopedists as Individuals: A Biographical Dictionary of the Authors of the Encyclopédie (Oxford: Voltaire Foundation, 1988), 238-43.
  5. ^ Marie Leca-Tsiomis, "Le Capuchon des cordeliers," Recherches sur Diderot et sur l'Encyclopédie 50 (2015): 349-50.
  6. ^ Kafker and Kafker, Encyclopedists as Individuals, 241.
  7. ^ Walter E. Rex, "'Arche de Noé' and Other Religious Articles By Abbé Mallet for the Encyclopédie," Eighteenth-Century Studies 9 (1976): 333-52.
  8. ^ Kafker and Kafker, Encyclopedists as Individuals, 238-43; Frank A. Kafker, "Courrier," Recherches sur Diderot et sur l'Encyclopédie 11 (1991): 182-83.
  9. ^ Reginald McGinnis, "Apology for the Abbé Mallet," French Studies 69 (2015): 159-72.

Main works

[edit]
  • 1747: Essai sur l’étude des belles-lettres
  • 1753: Principes pour la lecture des orateurs.
  • 1753: Essai sur les bienséances oratoires

Bibliography

[edit]
  • John Rogister: Louis XV and the Parlement of Paris, 1737-55. Cambridge University Press (2010) ISBN 0-5218-9336-4 S. 241
  • Dorothy Caiger Senghas: The Abbé Mallet: contributor to the Encyclopédie. Davis, University of California (1968), Dissertation
[edit]
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