Editing Jacques Paul Migne (section)

==Biography==
Migne was born in [[Saint-Flour, Cantal|Saint-Flour]], [[Cantal]] and studied [[theology]] at the [[University of Orléans]].  He was ordained in 1824 and placed in charge of the parish of Puiseaux, in the [[diocese of Orléans]],<ref name=EB1911>{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle=Migne, Jacques Paul |volume=18 |page=426}}</ref> where his uncompromisingly Catholic and royalist sympathies did not coincide with local patriotism and the new regime of the [[Louis-Philippe of France|Citizen-King]]. In 1833, after falling out with his bishop over a pamphlet he had published, he went to Paris, and on 3 November started a journal, {{lang|fr|L'Univers religieux}},<ref name=EB1911/> which he intended to keep free of political influence. It quickly gained 1,800 subscribers and he edited it for three years. (It afterwards became his co-editor [[Louis Veuillot]]'s [[ultramontanism|ultramontane]] organ, {{lang|fr|[[L'Univers]]}}.) Migne was, until June 1856, owner of the daily {{lang|fr|Vérité}} (formerly the {{lang|fr|Journal des faits}}), which, being limited to reproducing other newspapers, described itself as the impartial echo of all opinions.

Migne believed in the power of the [[Publishing|press]] and the value of information widely distributed. In 1836 he opened his great publishing house, the {{lang|fr|Ateliers catholiques}}, at [[Petit-Montrouge]], in Paris's outlying [[XIVe arrondissement|14th arrondissement]]. He published numerous religious works in rapid succession meant for lesser clergy at prices that ensured wide circulation, and bypassed the bookselling establishment with direct subscriptions. These works were reproduced from the best available texts, generally without requesting permission. His publishing house was complemented during the [[Second French Empire|Second Empire]] by painter artists' workhalls for the decoration of churches: three of their main works, in the style of [[Eugène Delacroix]], still remain in the choir of the church of Saint [[John the Baptist]] of [[Audresselles]] in [[Pas de Calais]], France. The {{lang|fr|Ateliers}} also produced and sold a variety of religious items.

In time, the {{lang|fr|Ateliers catholiques}} became the largest privately held press in France. However, on the night of 12–13 February 1868, a devastating fire, which began in the printing plant, destroyed Migne's establishment. "Five hundred thousand plates, stacked in piles, melted in an instant; they are now enormous blocks on the most bizarre forms," reported {{lang|fr|Le Monde illustré}}.<ref>{{cite book |first=R. Howard |last=Bloch |title=God's Plagiarist: Being an Account of the Fabulous Industry and Irregular Commerce of the Abbe Migne |publisher=University of Chicago Press |year=1994 |page=105}}</ref> Despite his insurance contracts, Migne was only able to retrieve a pittance.

Shortly afterwards, [[Georges Darboy]], [[Archbishop of Paris]], forbade the continuance of the business and even suspended Migne from his priestly functions.<ref name=CE>{{Cite Catholic Encyclopedia |wstitle=Jacques-Paul Migne |volume= |first=Johann Peter |last=Kirsch}}</ref> The [[Franco-Prussian War]] of 1870 inflicted further losses. Then from the [[curia]] of [[Pope Pius IX]] came a decree condemning the use of [[Mass stipends]] to purchase books, which specifically called out Migne and his publications.

Migne died in Paris. He died without ever regaining his former success and his {{lang|fr|Imprimerie Catholique}} passed in 1876 into the hands of Garnier Frères.<ref name=CE/>