​LA SALLE, ST JEAN BAPTISTE DE (1651–1719), founderof the order of Christian Brothers, was born at Reims. Theson of a rich lawyer, his father’s influence early secured hima canonry in the cathedral; there he established a school,where free elementary instruction was given to poor children.The enterprise soon broadened in scope; a band of enthusiasticassistants gathered round him; he resolved to resign his canonry,and devote himself entirely to education. His assistants wereorganized into a community, which gradually rooted itself allover France; and a training-school for teachers, the Collègede Saint-Yon, was set up at Rouen. In 1725, six years afterthe founder’s death, the society was recognized by the pope,under the official title of “Brothers of the Christian Schools”;its members took the usual monastic vows, but did not aspireto the priesthood. During the first hundred years of its existenceits activities were mainly confined to France; during the 19thcentury it spread to most of the countries of western Europe,and has been markedly successful in the United States. WhenLa Salle was canonized in 1900, the total number of brotherswas estimated at 15,000. Although the order has been chieflyconcerned with elementary schools, it undertakes most branchesof secondary and technical education; and it has served as amodel for other societies, in Ireland and elsewhere, slightlydiffering in character from the original institute.