(Francis de), a French author, born in the province of Guinne, in 1530. He was but seven years of age when he lost his father; and his mother was left in poor circumstances, but she contributed all her power to his education. He was supported some years by the queen of Navarre, sister to Francis I. Some time after he went to study at Bordeaux; thence he removed to Toulouse; and at last to Paris, where he got acquainted with several men of learning, and was honoured with the friendship of many persons of quality. He wrote, 1. A history of the nine Charles's of France; 2. Annotations on the books of St Augustine; 3. An universal history of the world; 4. The chronicles of Nicholas Gillet, augmented; 5. An universal cosmography; 6. Annals, or a general history of France; and many other works. In short, he supported his family by writing books on whatever subject was proposed to him by the bookellers, according to the taste of the public. He died in 1583.