ISNARD, ETIENNE. - Theologian, canonist, and historian, b. at Toulon on 17 Jan. 1578, d. there on 24 Oct. 1656.
He entered the Order of Minims at Aix-en-Provence in 1607. After teaching philosophy and theology, he devoted himself entirely to preaching, bringing about many conversions. Endowed with considerable learning, he founded the library of the Convent of Toulon, of which he was also Superior. Among his published works are the Sermon pour l'Advent (Lyons 1628) and the Codex Minimus Ordinis Minimorum (I, ibid. 1631; II, ibid. 1632). He left other works in manuscript, including the Histoire de Toulon, extensively used by later historians (e.g., D. Lambert, Histoire de la ville de Toulon, Toulon 1886).
BIBL.: G. M. Roberti, Disegno storico dell'Ordine de' Minimi, I, Rome 1909, p. 612 ff.; II, ibid. 1922, p. 758; F. Jacquier, In laudem Ordinis Minimorum, in Acta Capitulorum Ordinis Minimorum, II, ibid. 1916, pp. 514, 558; A. Bouisson, L'hist. de Toulon par le p. I. et les origines chrétiennes de Toulon, in Les Archives d'histoire de Fréjus et Toulon, 4 (1935), pp. 90-102. Gennaro Moretti