Jacques-Benigne Bossuet (1627 – 1704) was a French bishop and theologian. He has been considered by many to be one of the most brilliant orators of all time and a renowned French stylist.
He was appointed tutor to the nine-year-old Dauphin, oldest child of Louis XIV. Bossuet’s tutorial functions involved composing all the necessary books of instruction, including manuals of philosophy, history, and religion fit for a future king of France.
Among the books written by Bossuet during this period are three classics. First came theTraité de la connaissance de Dieu et de soi-même (1677), then the Discours sur l’histoire universelle (1679, published 1682), and lastly the Politique tirée de l’Ecriture Sainte(1679, published 1709). His works contained a few maps fashioned on the work of Nicolas Sanson and were published well into the 18th century.
