Jean-Pierre Camus, bishop of Belley, was by all accounts the most prolific French writer of the seventeenth century. The 264 titles listed by Jean Descrains in his extensive bibliography belong to three distinctive categories: essays and pamphlets published mainly at the beginning of Camus's career and around 1630; novels and short stories published between 1620 and 1640; and homilies--the only constant in Camus's literary production. The bishop's writings stem from his genuine desire to educate his flock "par la parole et par la plume" (by word and by pen). They are perfect examples of the literary goals of the Counter Reformation--docere (to teach) and delectare (to please).

Jean-Pierre Camus was born in Rouen on 3 or 4 November 1584. His family moved to Paris when he was twelve. The Camus family belonged to the "Politiques," Catholics who did not support the Ligue and who wanted the Protestant Henri of Navarre to succeed the Catholic...