Gallican Vision, Anglican Perspectives: The Reception of the Works of Louis Ellies Du Pin into England

Abstract

This dissertation examines the twenty-seven English editions of famed Gallican church historian Louis Ellies Du Pin. While Du Pin's life and works have been extensively researched by Grès-Gayer, his English translations, and reactions to them, have never been fully studied. The research takes an in-depth look at his Protestant editors' comments, as well as those of other prominent scholars who cite Du Pin's works in their own. Their varied depictions of Du Pin include: Protestant sympathizer, pre-enlightenment scholar, and a staunch Catholic. The dissertation includes English Catholic reactions to Du Pin as a traitor to the Catholic cause and a closet Jansenist. Was the "English Du Pin" the Real Du Pin? The conclusion explains how the English misunderstood him, and explores the many facets of the real scholar: a debunker of ancient forgeries, an agenda-driven Gallican, and a clumsy ecumenist.