Mourgues, Michael

, a French mathematician, born in the province of Auvergne about 1643, became a professor of rhetoric and mathematics in different seminaries belonging to the Jesuits, and was at length appointed professor- royal at the university of Toulouse. He died, in 1713, a sacrifice to his exertions in the cause of humanity, during the dreadful pestilential disorder which then raged at Toulouse. To very profound as well as extensive erudition, he united the most polished and amiable manners, and the most ardent piety, which made him zealous in his attempts to reform the age in which he lived. He was a considerable writer: his most celebrated pieces are, “New Elements of Geometry, comprised in less than fifty Propositions;” “A Parallel between Christian Morality and that of the Ancient Philosophers;” “An Explanation of the Theology of the Pythagoreans, and of the other learned Sects in Greece, for the Purpose of illustrating the Writings of the Christian Fathers” and “A Treatise on French Poetry.” ¹