Pierre Thomas

Background

Pierre was born in 1634, the son of a master of accounts at Rouen

Education

He was sent as a child to be educated to the Jansenists at Port-Royal des Champs.

Career

At Port-Royal des Champs he received his final bent towards the life of a recluse, and even of a hermit, which drew him to establish himself in the neighbourhood of Port Royal des Champs. In 1661 he came to Paris, and in 1666 was arrested along with Louis-Isaac Lemaistre de Sacy, and after a month in the Bastille was exiled to his estate of of Fossé near Forges-les-Eaux. He later made yearly visits to Paris. Apart from his collaboration with de Sacy, Thomas wrote some hagiographic works and left Memoires (1697-1698 and again 1876-1879), which are highly praised by Ste Beuve as being a remarkable mirror of the life at Port Royal.

Achievements

• He is best remembered for his Memoires.