HELYOT, HIPPOLYTE

born January 1660, Paris died Jan. 5, 1716, Paris original name Pierre Hlyot French historian and Franciscan monk whose greatest work provides the definitive and most detailed source of information on Roman Catholic religious orders and lay congregations up to the end of the 17th century. After entering the Franciscan convent of Picpus in Paris in 1683, Hlyot was sent twice to Rome. Later, when he was appointed secretary of his order, his travels in France enabled him to gather the materials for his extensive Histoire des ordres monastiques, religieux et militaires, et des congrgations sculires de l'un et de l'autre sexe, 8 vol. (1714-19). Although Hlyot lived to write only five volumes, the remainder of the history was completed by his colleague, Pre Maximilien Bullot. Hlyot also wrote several essays, including the Ide du Christ mourant (1695; "Concept of the Dying Christ").