DIDRON, ADOLPHE-NAPOLÉON. — Art historian, born at Hautvillers (Marne) on March 13, 1806, died in Paris on November 13, 1867. He completed his early studies in the seminaries of Meaux and Reims. In 1826 he went to Paris to study law.
He later devoted himself to artistic studies, particularly medieval art and Christian iconography. In 1835 he was elected secretary of the Commission for Historical Monuments created by Guizot. In 1838 he gave a course on Christian iconography at the Royal Library. In 1844 he founded the *Annales archéologiques*, which he directed until his death. He published various works on art, including: *Histoire de Dieu, iconographie des personnes divines* (Paris 1844); *Manuel d'iconographie chrétienne grecque et latine* (ibid. 1845); *Manuel des œuvres de bronze et d'orfèvrerie du moyen-âge* (ibid. 1859).