
Nicolas Talon
FREE Catholic Classes
French Jesuit, historian, and ascetical writer, b. at Moulins, 31 August, 1605; d. at Paris, 29 March, 1691. Entering the Society in 1621, he taught literature for several years, with remarkable success. After his ordination he gained some reputation as a preacher, was a devoted worker in the prisons and hospitals of Paris, and served as army-chaplain with the French troops in Flanders, winning the admiration and love of the men and the life-long friendship of the Prince de Conde. He assisted the notorious Aime du Poncet during his painfully protracted execution. Thanks to Talon's gentleness, the terrible outlaw died penitent and resigned. This striking conversion made a profound impression. As a writer, Talon had original, if not always correct, views, a lively imagination, a quaint and comparatively pure and elegant style. Besides his "Oraison funebre de Louis XIII" (Paris, 1644), a "Description de la pompe funebre du Prince de Conde" (Paris, 1646), and some books of minor importance, Talon wrote "La vie de St. François de Sales" (Paris, 1640), "La vie de St. François Borgia" (Paris, 1671), "Les peintures chretiennes" (Paris, 1667 according to Weiss, 1647 according to Sommervogel), and a Bible history, the first part of which, "Histoire sainte", was published at Paris in 1640. The author's purpose was to interest his readers in the Old Testament story. The book popular and was several times reprinted, notably in a fine Cramoisy edition (1665). The Marquis of Winchester gave an English translation in 1653. Talon's "Historie sainte" is deficient in taste and critical judgment; it is a romance, not a reliable exposition of facts. Its methods, if not as objectionable as Berruyer's in his "Histoire du peuple de Dieu", are unsound. The author published a sequel, "L'histoire sainte du Nouveau Testament" (Paris, 1669). It met with little success. Talon's portrait has been engraved by Heer. Sommervogel mentions 300 of his letters in the d'Aumale collection at Chantilly.
FREE Catholic Classes Pick a class, you can learn anything

By the Grace of God, with the help of Montana Ranch and Cattle, Catholic Online School has become one of the fastest-growing, online K-Adult schools in the world. The school now has over 915,000 student enrollments from 193 countries. Click to Save 25% Now >
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.
-
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
-
Mysteries of the Rosary
-
Saint of the Day for Saturday, Aug 13th, 2022
-
St. Hippolytus
-
Prayer of the Day for Saturday, Aug 13
-
The Apostles' Creed
-
Unfailing Prayer to St. Anthony
-
Patron Saints A-Z
-
Popular Saints
-
Bible
FIVE Amazing Facts about your Catholic faith you didn't know!
-
Fill your Freezer with 'The Greatest Meat on Earth' during this special event!
-
Pope Francis calls desire for eternal youth 'delusional'
-
St. Dominic Invites us to Answer the Question, Who Is Jesus Christ to Me?
-
Fill your freezer with 'The World's Greatest Beef' at a Special Price with this Promo Code
Daily Catholic
Daily Readings for Sunday, August 14, 2022
St. Maximilian Kolbe: Saint of the Day for Sunday, August 14, 2022
Children's Prayer for Parents: Prayer of the Day for Sunday, August 14, 2022
- Daily Readings for Saturday, August 13, 2022
- St. Hippolytus: Saint of the Day for Saturday, August 13, 2022
- Prayer for the Forgiveness of Sins: Prayer of the Day for Saturday, August 13, 2022
To all our readers,
Please don't scroll past this. We interrupt your reading to humbly ask you to defend Catholic Online School's independence. 98% of our readers don't give; they look the other way. If you are an exceptional reader who has already donated, we sincerely thank you. If you donate just $10.00, or whatever you can, Catholic Online School could keep thriving for years. Most people donate because Catholic Online School is useful. If Catholic Online School has given you $10.00 worth of knowledge this year, take a minute to donate. Show the world that access to Catholic education matters to you. Thank you.Help Now >
Copyright 2021 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2021 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.