(William), a learned French writer, member of the academy of belles lettres, and of the French academy, was born at Caen in Normandy in 1665, and completed his studies at Paris, when he entered amongst the Jesuits; but afterwards left them, that he might follow his inclination to polite literature with the greater freedom. In 1710 he was made Greek professor in the royal college; and enjoyed that post till his death, which happened at Paris in 1722. He wrote, 1. Several curious dissertations in the memoirs of the academy of inscriptions. 2. A history of the French poetry, in 12mo, &c.