born Oct. 23, 1813, Namur, Fr.

died May 18, 1900, Paris

French philosopher whose writings had an extensive influence in the Roman Catholic world during the 19th century. He was appointed inspector general of public libraries (1839–46, 1846–53) and later served as inspector general of higher education, a post he held until 1880. His major philosophical works are: Essai sur la métaphysique d'Aristote, 2 vol. (1837–46; “Essay on the Metaphysics of Aristotle”), De l'habitude (1839; “On Customs”), and La Philosophie en France au XIX^e siècle (1868; “Philosophy in France During the 19th Century”).