D'AUBIGNE, THEODORE AGRIPPA (1550 I630). A Protestant historian, poet, and soldier, born near Pons in Saintonge, France, February 8, 1550. He was educated at Geneva. Latin. Greek, and Hebrew were familiar to him from his earliest youth, and at seven years of age he is said to have made a translation of Plato's Crito. His father had inspired him with an enthusiasm for the Huguenot cause, and he was present at the siege of Orleans in 1563, when the elder d'.Aubigne was slain. The son played a promi nent part in the religious wars preceding the accession of Henry of Navarre. Though opposed to that prince's conversion, he consented to serve him, and was made vice-admiral of Guienne and Brittany. D'Auhigne was famous for his rough wit and frank speech, and he did not hesitate to use the most outspoken sarcasm against the King and other members of the royal family. The as sassination of Henry IV., in 1610, caused D'Au bigne to retire to his estates, and later he took up his residence at Geneva. There he employed him
self in literary work and in furthering the cause of Protestantisimin every way passible. His last years were embittered by the conduct of his son Constant, who betrayed the trust reposed in him by the Huguenots. This son was the father of the Duchesse de Noailles and of Madame de Slaintenon. D'Aubigne died April 29, 1630, leaving as his literary legacy a number of works, of which the following deserve mention: Histoire unirerselle 1550-1601: Confession catholigue dtt RIM' de Raney and Acentures du baron de Freneste: histoire secrete ("crite par lui-metne. These, with others of less importance, will be found in (Durres completes de Th. d'Aubigne, edited by \1\1. Reaume and de Caussade, which also contains So vie ct scs enfants, the best biography; consult, also Waunie, Etude his torique et litte'ruire sur A. dAubigne (Paris, 1S83).