Early years Malebranche was born in Paris in 1638, the youngest child of Nicolas Malebranche, secretary to King Louis XIII of France, and Catherine de Lauzon, sister of Jean de Lauson, a Governor of New France. Because of a malformed spine, Malebranche received his elementary education from a private tutor. He left home at the age of sixteen to pursue a course of philosophy at the Collège de la Marche, and subsequently to study theology at the Collège de Sorbonne, both colleges from the University of Paris. He eventually left the Sorbonne, having rejected scholasticism, and entered the Oratory in 1660. There, he devoted himself to ecclesiastical history, linguistics, the Bible, and the works of Saint Augustine. Malebranche was ordained a priest in 1664.
early years malebranche was born in paris in 1638 the youngest child of nicolas malebranche secretary to king louis xiii of france and catherine de lauzon sister of jean de lauson a governor of new france because of a malformed spine malebranche received his elementary education from a private tutor he left home at the age of sixteen to pursue a course of philosophy at the collège de la marche and subsequently to study theology at the collège de sorbonne both colleges from the university of paris he eventually left the sorbonne having rejected scholasticism and entered the oratory in 1660 there he devoted himself to ecclesiastical history linguistics the bible and the works of saint augustine malebranche was ordained a priest in 1664