Jean Mabillon
Dom M. D. Knowles
The absence of any adequate modern biography Mabillon has long left a deplorable gap in the history French scholarship. Almost immediately after his death intimate disciple, Dom Thierry Ruinart, wrote short life which must always remain essential for estimate its subject's character, and more formal notice found place Tassin's Maurists. After that, no work originality or insight appeared until 1879, when well-documented study Mabillon's early some was published most inaccessible fashion by H. Jadart, who continued patient investigations another thirty years. Then, 1888, Emmanuel de Broglie produced classical picture society St. Germain-des-Prés journeys which, though genuine scholarship high literary charm, extremely selective made attempt to cover whole work. De Broglie's volumes, however, soon followed similar on Montfaucon, their very excellence deterred would-be biographers years present century P. Denis began make preparatory soundings among mass Maurist documents with view writing history, have contained account Mabillon. His labours issued number valuable articles Revue , but he died main task unaccomplished. Meanwhile Henri Leclercq contributed Dictionnaire d'archéologie chrétienne et liturgie an article, as book, Mabillon, well numerous other topics connected works, it not generally known that during last life, what time indefatigable worker could steal from compiling single-handed volumes great had written at least first draft full-scale biography. He succeeded, is known, finishing encyclopedia few months before death, also despatched manuscript Paris publisher, but, unexplained reason, publication delayed only year ago second volume appeared. It nowhere stated editorial changes been made, implied there abbreviation.
The Journal of Ecclesiastical History