Ambrose, Bishop of Milan from 374 to 397; born probably 340, at Trier, Arles, or Lyons; died 4 April, 397. He was one of the most illustrious Fathers and Doctors of the Church, and fitly chosen, together with St. Augustine, St. John Chrysostom, and St. Athanasius, to uphold the venerable Chair of the Prince of the Apostles in the tribune of St. Peter's at Rome. The literary history of the editions of his writings is a long one and may be seen in the best lives of Ambrose. Erasmus edited them in four tomes at Basle (1527). A valuable Roman edition was brought out in 1580, in five volumes, the result of many years' labour; it was begun be Sixtus V, while yet the monk Felice Peretti. Prefixed to it is the life of St. Ambrose composed by Baronius for his Ecclesiastical Annals. The excellent Benedictine edition (St. Maur) appeared at Paris (1686-90) in two folio volumes edited by Frs. Jacques du Friche (1641-93) and Denis-Nicolas Le Nourry (1647-1724); it was twice reprinted at Venice (1748-51, and 1781-82). The latest edition of the writings of St. Ambrose is that of P.A. Ballerini (Milan, 1878) in six folio volumes; "It has not rendered superfluous the Benedictine edition of du Frische and Le Nourry." (The Catholic Encyclopedia). One engraving depicts Ambrose baptizing in Milan. Might one of the neophytes be Augustine of Hippo, baptized by Ambrose at the Easter Vigil of 387? A few small stamps of previous owners on title-pages and endpapers; slight browning throughout, unobtrusive tear (ca.15cm) in one page; Bindings shaved and worn at edges and capitals, but a solid and good set, internally clean. Cf. BM STC French, 1601-1700, A363; CLC, II, A602; Graesse, I, p. 99: "C'est jusqu'aujourdhui la meilleure édition des oeuvres de St. Ambroise"; Brunet,; I, 227.