SYLVIUS (DU BOIS), FRANÇOIS. - Theologian, b. at Braine-le-Comte (Belgium) in 1581, d. at Douai on 27 Feb. 1649.
He studied philosophy at Louvain and theology at the University of Douai, where he graduated in 1610. Upon the death of Estius (1613), he became professor of theology at the same university, remaining there for the rest of his life and greatly contributing to the renown of the Douai school. Though inferior to Estius in knowledge of Scripture, he surpassed him in speculative penetration and adherence to the spirit and letter of St. Thomas, of whom he is still considered one of the best interpreters in his *Commentaria in Sum. Theol. s. Thomae* (4 vols., Douai 1620-35; 2nd ed. 1622-48; 3rd ed. Antwerp 1698). On Thomistic topics he had already published notable works: *S. Thomae A. opuscula* (2 vols., Douai 1680-1609); *Explicatio doctrinae s. Thomae... de motione primi motori* (ibid. 1609); *Liber sententiarum... de statu hominis post peccatum* (ibid. 1614). In addition to various essays on moral theology and 19 *Orationes theologica* (ibid. 1621), mention must be made of the pamphlets with which he resolutely opposed the rising Jansenism: *Litterae... ad Leopoldum Belgii gubernatorum* (ibid. 1648); *Veritas et aequitas censurae pontificiae... super 79 articulis damnatis* (ibid. 1649). Of lesser importance is his *Commentarium in Gen.* (ibid. 1639). All his works were edited by Fr. Norbert d’Elbecque, O.P., at Antwerp in 1698, reprinted in Paris in 1714 and in Venice in 1726.