Robert of Molesmes, St (c. 1027–1111)

French monastic reformer. He became the superior of a community of hermits which he settled in Molesmes, southeast of Troyes, France. As it prospered, he became dissatisfied with its conduct and left. With Stephen Harding and Alberic he founded a monastery in Cîteaux, near Dijon, which became the mother house of the Cistercian order.

Robert was born in Troyes. He became a Benedictine, and gave up his abbacy at St Michael of Tonnerre to join the hermits in the forest of Collans. He left Molesmes twice, but returned later.