Jacques Maritain (1882-1973), distinguished French Catholic philosopher and writer, is regarded as the preeminent contemporary interpreter of the thought of Thomas Aquinas. Maritain was a professor of philosophy at the Institut Catholique de Paris, Columbia University, and Princeton University. After the outbreak of WWII, Maritain and his wife Raïssa relocated to the United States. He served as French Ambassador to the Vatican and returned to in France 1960. After Raïssa's death, Maritain decided to live the rest of his life in Toulouse with the congregation Little Brothers of Jesus.thought of Thomas Aquinas. Maritain was a professor of philosophy at the Institut Catholique de Paris, Columbia University, and Princeton University. After the outbreak of WWII, Maritain and his wife Raïssa relocated to the United States. He served as French Ambassador to the Vatican and returned to France in 1960. After Raïssa's death, Maritain decided to live the rest of his life in Toulouse with the congregation Little Brothers of Jesus.