Vinet, Elias

, a classical editor, translator, and critic, was born at Vinets, a small village in Saintonge, in 1507. He studied first at Barbesieux, where Thuanus, by mistake, says he was born, and went thence to Poitiers, where he took his degree of master of arts. On his return to Barbesieux, he employed himself for some time in teaching, that he might acquire enough to bear his expences at Paris, where he wished to acquire a greater knowledge of the belles lettres and mathematics, to both of which he had already in some measure applied. In 1541, however, Andrew Govea, principal of the college of Bourdeaux, hearing a very advantageous character of him, invited him thither to a professorship, which he held about six years, and | then accompanied Govea to Portugal to assist in founding the college of Coimbra on the model of that of Eourdeaux. In the following year, 1548, on the death of Govea, he returned to Bourdeaux, and continued to teach belles lettres and mathematics, until the death of Gelida, the principal, in 1558, whom he was chosen to succeed. He filled this office with great assiduity and reputation for twenty-five years, at the end of which his infirmities obliged him to resign the active part, and he was permitted to retire upon his salary, holding also the title of principal. He died at Bourdeaux May 14, 1587, in the eightieth year of his age, according to Saxius; but Niceron gives 1519 as the date of his birth, and 1587 as that of his death, and yet says that he died aged seventy-eight.

Vinet was a man of indefatigable literary labour, and of great learning. Scaliger says he never knew a more learned man, “Nullum novi doctiorem Vineto;” and it appears the practice of many laborious scholars was also his, “nulla dies sine linea.” He always read with his pen in his hand. We have a list of twenty-eight publications by him, most of them editions of the classics, or ancient authors. Among them are editions of Theognis, Sidonius Apollinaris, Julius Solinus, Proclus, Eutropius, Persius, Florus, Censorinus, Pomponius Mela, and some historical and mathematical works, translations, &c. ¹