Jules Quicherat was a French historian and archaeologist, who was a major force in French scholarship during the 19th century.
Background
Jules Quicherat was of Burgundian origin. His father, a working cabinet-maker, came from Paray le Monial to Paris to support his large family; Quicherat was born there on October 13, 1814. He was fifteen years younger than his brother Louis, a great Latin scholar and lexicographer, who survived him.
Education
Although very poor, he was admitted to the college of Sainte-Barbe, where he received a thorough classical education. He showed his gratitude to this establishment by writing its history. At the end of his studies he hesitated for some time before deciding what career he would follow, until Michelet put an end to his indecision by inspiring him with a taste for history. In 1835 Quicherat entered the Ecole des Chartes; he left two years later at the head of the college.
Career
Once more inspired by the example of Michelet, who had just written an admirable work on Joan of Arc, he published the text of the two trials of Joan, adding much contemporary evidence on her heroism in his Proces de condamnation et de rehabilitation de Jeanne d'Arc (5 vols. 1841 - 1849), as well as half a volume of Aperqus nouveaux sur Vhistoire de Jeanne d'Arc, in which it seems that the last word has been said on important points. From the 15th century he drew other inspirations. He published memoirs of the adventures of a brigand, Rodrigue de Villandrando (1844), which gradually grew into a volume (1877), full of fresh matter. He wrote full biographies of two chroniclers of Louis XI, one very obscure, Jean Castel (in the Bibliotheque de I'Ecole des Chartes, 1840), the other, Thomas Basin, bishop of Lisieux, who was, on the contrary, a remarkable politician, prelate and chronicler. Quicherat published the works of the latter, most of which were now brought out for the first time (4 vols. 1855 - 1859). In addition to these he wrote Fragments inddils de Georges Chastellain (1842).
Personality
Although he was not eloquent and had a nasal voice, his hearers were loth to miss any of his thoughtful teaching, which was unbiased and well expressed.