DENIS AUGUSTE

See also:

• DENIS AUGUSTE AFFRE (1793-1848)

AFFRE (1793-1848)  , archbishop of Paris, was born at St Rome, in the department of Tarn, on the 27th of September 1793 . He was educated for the priesthood at St Sulpice, where in 1818 he became professor of dogmatic theology . After filling a number of ecclesiastical offices, he was elevated to the archbishopric of Paris in 1840 . Though opposed to the government of Louis Philippe, he took no part in politics, but devoted himself to his pastoral work . His episcopate, however, is chiefly remembered owing to its tragic close . During the insurrection of June 1848 the archbishop was led to believe that by his personal interference peace might be restored between the soldiery and the insurgents . Accordingly, in spite of the warning of General Cavaignac, he mounted the barricade at the entrance to the Faubourg St Antoine, bearing a green branch as sign of peace . He had spoken only a few words, however, when the insurgents, hearing some shots, and fancying they were betrayed, opened fire upon the national guard, and the archbishop fell, struck by a stray bullet . He was removed to his palace, where he died on the 27th of June 1848 . Next day the National Assembly issued a decree expressing their great sorrow on account of his death; and the public funeral on the 7th of July was one of the most striking spectacles of its kind . The archbishop wrote several treatises of considerable value, including an Essai sur les hieroglyphes egyptiens (Paris, 1834), in which he showed that Champollion's system was insufficient to explain the hieroglyphics . See Ricard, Les grands eveeques de l'eglise de France an XIXe siecle (Lille, 1893); L .

Alazard,

Denis-Auguste A ffre, arc/league de Paris (Paris, 1905) .