CASAUBON

casaubon, florence estienne meric (1599-1671), english classical scholar, son of isaac casaubon, was born at geneva on the 14th of august 1599. at an early age he joined his father in england, and completed his education at eton and oxford (b.a. 1618). his defence of his father against the attacks of certain catholics (_pietas contra maledicos patrii nominis el religionis hostes_, 1621), secured him the notice and favour of james i., who conferred upon him a prebendal stall in canterbury cathedral. he also vindicated his father's literary reputation against certain impostors who had published, under his name, a work on _the origin of idolatry (vindicatio patris adversus impostores_, 1624). during the civil war he lived a retired life, and after its conclusion refused to acknowledge the authority of cromwell, who, notwithstanding, requested him to write an "impartial" history of the events of the period. in spite of the tempting inducements held out, he declined, and also refused the post of inspector of the swedish universities offered him by queen christina. after the restoration, he was reinstated in his benefice, and devoted the rest of his life to literary work. he died at canterbury on the 14th of july 1671. meric casaubon's reputation was overshadowed by that of his father; but his editions of numerous classical authors, and especially of the _meditations_ of marcus aurelius (also english translation, new ed. by w.h.d. rouse, 1900), were highly valued. among his other works may be mentioned: _de quatuor linguis commentatio_ (1650), _of the necessity of reformation_ (1664), _on credulity and incredulity in things natural, civil and divine_ (1668).