EMMANUEL DE SAINT-ALBERT (lay Jean-Baptiste Ballyet, also written Balliet and Baillet). Marnay, Franche-Comte 18.11.1702 — 4.4.1773. French Discalced Carmelite Missionary, Apostolic Vicar of Baghdad. Son of a judge, studies at Carmelite mission seminary Saint Panceas in Rome. In 1728 sent to Babylon as Pro-Vicar, arrived 1729 and spent 6 months in Hamadan learning Turkish. From Hamadan visited Bisutun and in summer 1730 Pondichéry. From 1733 Apostolic Vicar of Baghdad, from 1741 also French consul there. In 1742 nominated Bishop of Baghdad, consecrated 1743 in Malta. Returning visited Constantinople and other places and arrived at Baghdad 1749. In 1953 came to Europe, gave his report to Pope in Rome and went to Paris and Franche-Comte, 1755 back to the East. In 1765-66 again to Europe, visited Paris, Besançon, Lyon and Rome. He had health problems, but was not given a leave and had to return to Baghdad. He was keenly interested in antiquity, studied the remains of Bisutun and Babylon and collected coins. Gave his material in Constantinople to Dr. Isaac Ballet (1693–1780) who brought it to France and gave to the library of Duc Louis d’Orleans, where his secretary —> Bourguignon d’Anville could use them.
Publications: Based on his material: Bourguignon d’Anville, “Mémoire sur un Monument très-ancien sculpté dans une montagne de la Médie”, MAIBL 27, 1761 (read 1755), 159-166, English translation in Ptts’ article (below), 586-590. The origin manuscript has disappeared.
Sources: *D.Th. Potts, “Bīsotūn and the French Enlightenment”, JRAS 3:28, 2018, 583-614 (fig. 2 portrit of E.St-S. in Oriental costume).
Last Updated on 5 hours by Admin
