Encyclopedic Dictionary of Bible and Theology

Villeneuve, Hospital Sisters of This congregation was founded at Paris, about the middle of the 17th century, by Ange le Proust, an Augustiniai prior of Lamballe. In 1662 several noble ladies were united in a society, under his direction, for the relief of the poor in hospitals, and from this; grew the congregation, which was … Continue reading “Villeneuve, Hospital Sisters of”

Villeneuve-Barcement, Jean-Paul-Alban Vicomte de, b. at Saint-Auban, Var, 8 Aug., 1784; d. at Paris, 8 June, 1850. After having taken part in the prefectorial administration of the Empire and the Restoration he became councillor of State in 1828, but in 1830 refused to take the oath to the Government of Louis-Philippe. He was a deputy … Continue reading “Villeneuve-Barcement, Jean-Paul-Alban”

Villehardouin, Geoffroi de Maréchal de Champagne, warrior, and first historian in the French language, b. about 1150; d. at Messinople, 1213. As early as 1191 he was Maréchal of Champagne. His life is known only by the occurrence of his name in some charters and by very meagre details in his history. In 1199, with … Continue reading “Villehardouin, Geoffroi de”

Villegas Marmolejo, Pedro de a Spanish, painter, was born at Seville in 1520. He is supposed, to have studied in Italy. He executed some paintings for the churches and public edifices of Seville, and his best productions are said to equal those of Pedro Campana, to whom his Visitation of the Virgin Mary to St. … Continue reading “Villegas Marmolejo, Pedro de”

Villegaignon, Nicolas Durand de a Maltese knight who achieved an unenviable notoriety in connection with one of the most interesting episodes of the French Reformation. He was a native of Brittany, and had distinguished himself as an officer of the royal navy. In 1554 he held the rank of vice-admiral of Brittany. A dispute with … Continue reading “Villegaignon, Nicolas Durand de”

Villefroy, Guillaume de a French Orientalist, was born in Paris, March 5, 1690. He studied at the Abbey of Tiron and at the Seminary of Besangon, and after ordination and reception of the doctorate he became abbot of Blasimont, in Guienne, and finally (1752) professor of Hebrew in the College de France at Paris, where … Continue reading “Villefroy, Guillaume de”

Villefranche, Jacques-Melchior Publicist, b. at Couzon-sur-Saone, 17 Dec., 1829; d. at Bourg, 10 May, 1904. After excellent classical studies at the lesser seminary of Largentière, he entered the telegraphic service, in which capacity in 1855, during the Crimean War, he directed the telegraphic bureau of Varna, the first landing-place of the Franco-Russian troops. In 1870 … Continue reading “Villefranche, Jacques-Melchior”

Villars the name of a French family of Lyons noted for the part which it took in public affairs during the 16th century. 1. FRANCOIS, born in 1514, and died Nov. 1. 1582, was the son of Pierre, a public functionary of his native city. As lieutenant of the presidial, he aided in the war … Continue reading “Villars”

Villaret, Poulques de grand-master of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem and brother of Guillaume, soon after his election (1307) put into effect the designs of his brother at Rhodes. SEE HOSPITALLERS. In 1309 he resigned his powers and retired to France. He died Sept. 1, 1327, at the Castle of Leiran, in Languedoc. … Continue reading “Villaret, Poulques de”

Villaret, Jean Chrysostome a French prelate, was born at Rodez, Jan. 27, 1739. He studied at the Seminary of St. Sulpice, and, after teaching there, became grand-vicar, canon, and theologian of his native city. Under Necker he entered the civil service. During the French Revolution, he lived privately in the, country. In 1802 he was … Continue reading “Villaret, Jean Chrysostome”