DUVOISIN, JEAN-BAPTISTE. – Apologist, born at Langres on 19 October 1744, died at Nantes on 9 July 1813. Professor at the Sorbonne, canon of Auxerre, vicar general of Laon, and prior of Gabard in the diocese of Rennes, he was regarded, when the Revolution broke out, as one of the most significant figures in the Church of France. Refusing to take the oath, he was deported to England and joined his bishop at Brunswick; he then made a living teaching literature and the sciences, without, however, interrupting his apologetic works. On his return to France, he was appointed bishop of Nantes and consecrated on 1 August 1802.
An energetic organizer, an eloquent and polished preacher, and highly renowned for his uncommon learning, he was described by Napoleon as “one of the oracles of Christendom” (Memoirs, I, p. 121). The emperor’s adviser in numerous ecclesiastical affairs, he received dignities and honors from him; nevertheless, while servilely assisting Napoleon in his struggle against the Pontiff, he endeavored to avoid schism. Said to have been an instigator of the Council of 1809, he was one of the four prelates who accepted the task of going to Savona to persuade Pius VII to make concessions. A court bishop and ardent Gallican, before, during, and after the Council of 1811, he was not content merely to have taken part in the “Savona intrigue,” but provided Napoleon with valuable assistance in the negotiations for the unfortunate Concordat of Fontainebleau.
He wrote: Dissertation critique sur la vision de Constantin (Paris 1774); De l'autorité des livres du Nouveau Testament contre les incrédules (there 1775); L'autorité des livres de Moyse établie et défendue contre les incrédules (there 1778); Essai polémique sur la religion naturelle (there 1780); De vera religione ad usum Theologiae candidaturum (2 vols., there 1785); Examen des principes de la Révolution Française (Brunswick 1795); Défense de l'ordre social contre les principes de la Révolution Française (London 1798); Essai sur la tolérance (Brunswick 1798); Démonstration évangélique suivie d'un essai sur la tolérance (there 1800).