an ancient father of the Christian church, who flourished in the 4th century. He was born, as St Jerome informs us, at Poitiers, of a good family; who gave him a liberal education in the Pagan religion, and which he did not forfeit till he was arrived at maturity. He was advanced to the bishopric of Poitiers in the year 355, according to Baronius: and became a most zealous champion for the orthodox faith, particularly against the Arians, who were at that time gaining ground in France. He assembled several councils there, in which the determinations of the synods of Rimini and Seleucia were condemned. He wrote a treatise concerning synods; and a famous work in 12 books on the Trinity, which is much admired by the orthodox believers. He died in the latter end of the year 367. His works have been many times published; but the last and best edition of them was given by the Benedictines at Paris in 1693.