The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07.
John Baptist de la Salle, Saint
(bptst´ d lä säl´) (KEY) , 16511719, French educator, founder of the Christian Brothers, b. Reims. He became a priest and canon of the cathedral. He spent his life teaching children of the poor. In 1684 (having resigned his canonry) he formed of his assistants a new order, the Christian Brothers. In 1685 to train his teachers, St. John Baptist founded at Reims what is called the first normal school. He was a careful pedagogical thinker and ranks as one of the distinguished educators of modern times. His name in French is Jean Baptiste de la Salle. Feast: May 15.