BOYER, Abel, a well-known lexicographer and historiographer, born at Castres in France in 1664. Upon the revocation of the edict of Nantes, he went first to Geneva, and then to Franeker, where he finished his studies. Finally he came to England, where he soon acquired such a proficiency in the English language, that he became an author of considerable note, and was employed in writing several periodical and political works. He had for many years the principal management of a newspaper called the Post-boy; and he likewise published a monthly work entitled the Political State of Great Britain. He wrote a Life of Queen Anne in folio; a History of William III. in 3 vols. 8vo; and Annals of the Reign of Queen Anne, in 11 vols. 8vo. But he is best known by his Dictionary and Grammar of the French Language, which are still reckoned good in their kind. He died at Chelsea in 1729.