Fenelon, Francois (1651-1715)
Place of Birth: Perigord, France
Description: French ecclesiastic
Education: At age twelve studied at the Jesuit University of Cohors, afterwards at the Jesuit College du Plessis, then theological studies at Seminary of St. Sulpice
Occupations and Christian Work: Ordained to Roman Catholic Priesthood (1675); mission to convert the Huguenots (1686-1688); consecrated as archbishop of Cambrini (1695); preceptor of young duke of Burgundy, grandson of Louis XIV (1689); founded seminary at Cambrini, where he died
Experience of Persecution: Bitterly attacked, losing court favor for defending the teachings of Madame Guyon from suppression by the court of France and Bishop Bossuet; long and vigorous controversy with Bossuet; pope disapproved portion of his book on mysticism, Maximes des Saints, which Fenelon entirely burned; Maximes des Saints reprinted in Holland; continued church work but forbidden to teach young duke
Biography: Viscount St. Cyres, Francois De Fenelon, London: Methuen & Co., 1901.
Writings: Maximes des Saints; best-known writing was educational novel, Telemaque (1699), which caused disfavor at court
