(John), a very learned writer of France in the 17th century, was born at Perre-monte, on the frontiers of Champagne, in 1632. He was educated in the university of Rheims, and afterwards entered into the abbey of the Benedictines of St. Remy. In the year 1663, he was appointed keeper of the treasures and monuments of France at St. Dennis; but having unfortunately broke a looking-glass there, which was pretended to have belonged to Virgil, he desired leave of his superiors to quit an employment which frequently obliged him to tell things he did not believe. Next year he went to Paris and was very serviceable to father d'Acheri, who was desirous of having some young monk who could assist him in compiling his Spicilegium. This made him known. Soon after, the congregation of St. Maur having formed a design of publishing new editions of the fathers, revised from the MSS. in the libraries of the Benedictines, Mabillon was charged with the edition of St. Bernard, which he prepared with extraordinary diligence. After that, he published many other works, which are evidences of his vast capacity and industry. In 1682, he was employed by Mr. Colbert in examining some ancient titles relating to the royal family. The year following he sent him into Germany, to search the archives and libraries of the ancient abbeys, for what was most curious and proper to illustrate the history of the church in general, and that of France in particular. He has published an account of this journey. In 1685, he undertook another journey into Italy, by order of the king of France; and returned the year following with a very noble collection. He placed in the king's library above 3000 volumes of rare books, printed and in MSS. and composed two volumes of the pieces which he had discovered in that country. He was highly esteemed for his virtues as well as his learning.