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Antonin Sertillanges

1863 – 1948

French philosopher

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About Antonin Sertillanges

Lived 1863 – 1948 (aged 84). Antonin Sertillanges was a French philosopher, theologian, translator, university teacher, opinion journalist and catholic priest.

Antonin-Gilbert Sertillanges, OP (; 16 November 1863 – 26 July 1948), known in religion as Antonin-Dalmace Sertillanges, was a French Catholic philosopher and spiritual writer. He was a member of the Dominican Order.

Biography Born Antonin-Gilbert, he took the name Antonin-Dalmace when he entered the Dominican Order. He was ordained in 1888 and in 1890 was assigned to teach theology in Corbara, Corsica.

In 1893 he founded the Revue Thomiste and later became professor of moral philosophy at the Institut Catholique de Paris. Henri Daniel-Rops wrote that it was rumored that President Raymond Poincaré asked Léon-Adolphe Cardinal Amette, Archbishop of Paris, for a reply to Pope Benedict XV's peace proposals, and that Amette passed the request along to Sertillanges; in any event, Amette gave his imprimatur to this reply on 5 December 1917, five days before it was made public. In The Heroic Life, Sertillanges had defended Benedict's attitude toward peace, but in "The French Peace", Sertillanges said, "Most Holy Father, we cannot for an instant entertain your appeals for peace."

His scholarly work was concerned with the moral theory of Thomas Aquinas. In the English-speaking world, he is best known for two non-specialist works. The Intellectual Life is a practical guide for how to structure one's life so as to make progress as a scholar. What Jesus Saw from the Cross is a spiritual work that drew upon the time Sertillanges spent living in Jerusalem. Certain of Sertillanges' works are concerned with political theory, French identity and the structure of the traditional French family.

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Important facts

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Frequently asked questions

Who was Antonin Sertillanges?

French philosopher (1863–1948)

When was Antonin Sertillanges born?

Antonin Sertillanges was born on 16 November 1863 in Clermont-Ferrand.

When did Antonin Sertillanges die?

Antonin Sertillanges died on 26 July 1948 in Sallanches.

What was Antonin Sertillanges's occupation?

Antonin Sertillanges was a philosopher, theologian, translator, university teacher, opinion journalist and catholic priest.

What nationality was Antonin Sertillanges?

Antonin Sertillanges was French.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Antonin Sertillanges

· Wikidata: Q2322416

· DBpedia: Antonin Sertillanges

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Antonin Sertillanges. https://biography.guide/antonin-sertillanges/

MLA: "Antonin Sertillanges." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/antonin-sertillanges/.

Chicago: "Antonin Sertillanges." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/antonin-sertillanges/.

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