FOURMONT, STEPHEN, professor of the Arabic
and Chinese languages, and one of the most learned
men of his time, was born at Herbelai, a village four
leagues from Paris, in 1683. He studied in Mazarine
college, and afterwards in the Seminary of Thirty-three.
He was at length professor of Arabic in the Royal
College, and was made a member of the Academy of
Inscriptions. In 1738, he was chosen a member of
the Royal Society of London, and of that of Berlin in
1741. He was often consulted by the duke of Orleans,
first prince of the blood; who had a particular esteem
for him, and made him one of his secretaries. He
wrote a great number of books; the most considerable
of those which have been printed are, 1. The Roots of
the Latin Tongue, in verse. 2. Critical Reflections
on the Histories of ancient Nations, 2 vols. 4to. 3.
Meditations Sinicae, folio. 4. A Chinese Grammar,
in Latin, folio. 5. Several dissertations printed in the
Memoirs of the Academy of Inscriptions, &c. He
died at Paris in 1744.
He ought not to be confounded with Michael Four-
mont, his youngest brother; who took orders, was pro-
fessor of the Syriac language in the Royal College, and
a member of the Academy of Inscriptions. He died
in 1746.