(Florent-Cartond'), an eminent French actor and dramatic writer, born at Fontainbleau, October 1661. He studied in the Jesuits college at Paris, under father de la Rue; who, discovering in him a remarkable vivacity and capacity for learning, was extremely desirous of engaging him in their order; but Ancourt's aversion to a religious life rendered all his efforts ineffectual. After he had gone through a course of philosophy, he applied himself to the civil law, and was admitted advocate at 17 years of age. But falling in love with an actress, he was induced to go upon the stage, and he married her. As he had all the qualifications necessary for the theatre, he soon greatly distinguished himself; and not being satisfied with the applause only of an actor, he began to write pieces for the stage; many of which had such prodigious success, that most of the players grew rich from the profits of them. His merit in this way procured him a very favourable reception at court; and Lewis XIV. showed him many marks of his favour. His sprightly conversation and polite behaviour made his company agreeable to all the men of figure both at court and in the city, and the most considerable persons were extremely pleased to have him at their houses. Having taken a journey to Dunkirk, to see his eldest daughter who lived there, he took the opportunity of paying his compliments to the elector of Bavaria, who was then at Bruges; this prince received him with the utmost civility; and having detained him a considerable time, dismissed him with a present of a diamond valued at 1000 pistoles; he likewise rewarded him in a very generous manner, when, upon his coming to Paris, Ancourt composed an entertainment for his diversion. Ancourt began at length to grow weary of the theatre, which he quitted in Lent 1718, and retired to his estate of Courcelles le Roy, in Berry, where he applied himself wholly to devotion, and composed a translation of David's Psalms in verse, and a sacred tragedy, which were never printed. He died the 6th of December, 1726, being 65 years of age.—The plays which he wrote are 52 in all; most of which were printed separately at the time when they were first represented: they were afterwards collected into five volumes, then into seven, and at last into nine. This last edition is the most complete.