SIRMOND (James), a famous Jesuit, and one of the most learned men France has produced, was born at Riom in 1559. He became well skilled in ecclesiastical antiquities; and acquired great reputation throughout all Europe by his profound erudition and his works. He was invited to Rome in 1590 by father Aquaviva, to whom he was secretary for above 16 years. The cardinals Baronius, d'Offat, and Barberino, had a particular esteem for him; and he was of some service to the former in assisting him in composing his Annals. In 1608 he returned to Paris; and from that time scarcely ever let a year pass without publishing some of his works. He at length became confessor to Lewis XIII. and for a long time enjoyed that place. He died at Paris in 1651. He published a great number of books; the principal of which are, Excellent Notes on the Councils of France, the Capitularies of Charles the Bald, and the Theodosian Code; good editions of the Works of Theodoret and Hincmar of Rheims; and many Opuscula on different Subjects, printed at Paris in 1696, in five vols folio.