EMERIC-DAVID

emeric-david, toussaint-bernard (1755-1839), french archaeologist and writer on art, was born at aix, in provence, on the 20th of august 1755. he was destined for the legal profession, and having gone in 1775 to paris to complete his legal education, he acquired there a taste for art which influenced his whole future career, and he went to italy, where he continued his art studies. he soon returned, however, to his native village, and followed for some time the profession of an advocate; but in 1787 he succeeded his uncle antoine david as printer to the parlement. he was elected mayor of aix in 1791; and although he speedily resigned his office, he was in 1793 threatened with arrest, and had for some time to adopt a vagrant life. when danger was past he returned to aix, sold his printing business, and engaged in general commercial pursuits; but he was not long in renouncing these also, in order to devote himself exclusively to literature and art. from 1809 to 1814, under the empire, he represented his department in the lower house (_corps legislatif_); in 1814 he voted for the downfall of napoleon; in 1815 he retired into private life, and in 1816 he was elected a member of the institute. he died in paris on the 2nd of april 1839. emeric-david was placed in 1825 on the commission appointed to continue _l'histoire litteraire de la france._ his principal works are _recherches sur l'art statuaire, considere chez les anciens et les modernes_ (paris, 1805), a work which obtained the prize of the institute; _suite d'etudes calquees et dessinees d'apres cinq tableaux de raphael_ (paris, 1818-1821), in 6 vols. fol.; _jupiter, ou recherches sur ce dieu, sur son culte_, &c. (paris, 1833), 2 vols. 8vo, illustrated; and _vulcain_ (paris, 1837). emeritus (lat. from _emereri_, to serve out one's time, to earn thoroughly), a term used of roman soldiers and public officials who had earned their discharge from the service, a veteran, and hence applied, in modern times, to a university professor (_professor emeritus_) who has vacated his chair, on account of long service, age or infirmity, and, in the presbyterian church, to a minister who has for like reason given up his charge.