Philippe Alegambe

A Jesuit historiographer, born in Brussels, 22 January, 1592; died in Rome, 6 September, 1652. After finishing his studies he went to Spain, in the service of the Duke of Osuna, whom he accompanied to Sicily. There he entered the Society of Jesus at Palermo, on 7 September 1613, studied at Rome, taught philosophy and theology at Gratz, Austria, and for several years traveled through the various countries of Europe, as preceptor of the Prince of Eggenberg. He last days were spent in Rome, where he became superior of the house of the Jesuits, and secretary to the General of the Society. He is chiefly known for his “Bibliotheca Scriptorum Societatis Jesu”, published in 1642. It was a continuation and enlargement of Father Ribadeneira’s Catalogue, which had been brought up to 1608. He wrote also “Heroes et victimae caritatis Societatis Jesu” and “De Vitâ et Moribus P. Joannis Cardim Luisitani, e Societatis Jesu”, and “Acta Sanctae Justae virg. et mart., ex variis manuscripts“.