MARTIN CUREAU DE LA, physician in ordinary to the French king, was distinguished by his knowledge in medicine, philosophy, and polite learning. He was born at Mons, and was received into the French academy in 1635, and afterwards into the academy of sciences. He wrote a great number of works; the principal of which are, 1. The characters of the passions. 2. The art of knowing men. 3. On the knowledge of beasts, &c. He died at Paris in 1669.