GARNIER, JEAN. – Jesuit and patrologist, born in Paris on 11 November 1612, died in Bologna on 26 November 1681. After a period of teaching literature and philosophy at Clermont-Ferrand (Auvergne), from 1643 to 1653, he went on to teach theology for 25 years at the Collège Clermont in Paris (1653–79). Sent to Rome as procurator of his province, he was overtaken by death during the journey.
His name is associated with patristic studies, in which he demonstrated broad erudition and critical acumen, although some of his judgments have been corrected by later criticism. To him are owed: Juliani Eclanensis episcopi libellus fidei missus ad Sedem Apostolicum in causa Pelagianorum (Paris 1648), published from a manuscript discovered at Verona by Fr. J. Sirmond; Marii Mercatoris opera quaecumque extant (there 1673; cf. PL 48), with useful dissertations on Pelagianism and Nestorianism; Liberati Archidiaconis Ecclesiae Carthagionis breviarium (there 1675); Liber diurnus Romanorum Pontificum (there 1680; cf. PL 105), with dissertations on the question of Honorius. He also edited the supplement to the edition of Theodoret prepared by Fr. G. Sirmond himself, with several extensive dissertations, partly [illegible/unclear] (cf. PG 84, 89–864).