Ossat Arnaud D

Ossat Arnaud D'

a French cardinal and diplomatist, was born of very humble origin Aug. 23, 1536, at Larroque. He lost both his parents when but nine years of age, and entered the service of Thomas de Marca, who gave him as a servant to his nephew and ward, John de Marca, lord of Castelnau-Magnoac. Being present while his master was taking his lessons, D'Ossat soon learned enough of Latin to teach it to the less capable nobleman. Receiving the tonsure Dec. 26, 1556, he entered the Church, and afterwards accompanied his former master and two other young gentlemen to Paris as their tutor. These returned to Gascony in 1562, and D'Ossat remained in Paris, where he continued his studies under Ramus, whose intimate friend he soon became. He was for a while professor of rhetoric and philosophy at the University of Paris, but soon after went to Bourges to study law under Cujas, and became counselor to the Parliament. In 1574 he went to Rome as secretary to the French ambassador, Paul de Foix, and now remained most of the time in that city, first in a subordinate position, then as ambassador of Henry III and Henry IV. In that capacity he rendered his employers great service. It was D'Ossat who reconciled the Church of Rome and Henry IV. He was made cardinal in 1599, and died at Rome March 13, 1604. Cardinal D'Ossat is a remarkable instance of elevation to Church dignity by the force of personal merit. He wrote, Expositio Arnaldi Ossati in disputationem Jacobi Carpentarii de methodo (Paris, 1654, 8vo), in defense of Ramus; and a collection of Lettres addressed to the minister of state, Villeroi, which are models of diplomatic correspondence (1st ed. Paris, 1624, fol. best by A. de la Houssaye, Paris, 1697, 2 vols. 4to, with notes; reprinted, with more notes, Amst. 1707, 1714, 1732, 5 vols. 12mo). This work was translated into Italian by Jerome Canini (Venice, 1729, 4to). He is also considered the author of the Lettres published under the name of cardinal Joyeuse, and of a remarkable Memoir on the League, written in Italian in 1590, and published in the Vie du Cardinal D'Ossat, Anon. (by Madame d'Arconville). See Gallia Christiana, vol. xi, xiv; Frizon, Gallia purpurata; Alby, Hist. des Cardin. illustres; Moreri, Dict. hist.; France pontificale; Niceron, Memoires, 34:31-40; Jervis, Hist. of the Church of France, 1:224 sq.