DUHAMEL (du Hamel), Jean-Baptiste. - French philosopher and theologian, b. at Vire in Normandy on 11 June 1624, d. in Paris on 5 Aug. 1706.
He studied at Caen and Paris and distinguished himself from childhood by his exceptional gifts. At the age of 18, already a professor of mathematics at the “Maître-Gervais” college in Paris, he published his first scientific study, *Elementa astronomica* (Paris 1642). At 19 he entered the Oratory of Paris (1643). After ordination to the priesthood, he taught philosophy in the colleges of his Congregation. In 1653 he left the Oratory to become parish priest at Neuilly-sur-Marne. He then moved to Bayeux (1663), and in 1666 was appointed secretary of the Academy of Sciences, newly founded by Colbert.
His scientific activity was very significant. He wrote on philosophy, theology, Sacred Scripture, history, physical sciences and astronomy. Among his principal works, repeatedly published in France, Italy, Germany and Spain, may be mentioned: *Philosophia moralis Christiana* (Angers 1652); *Philosophia vetus et nova* (4 vols., Paris 1678); *Institutiones Biblicae* (2 vols., ibid. 1698); *Regiae Academiae Historia* (ibid. 1698); *Biblia Sacra Vulgatae editionis* (2 vols., ibid. 1705-1706).