Bernard le Bovier de, was a man of letters, born at Rouen in 1657, the most universal genius of the age of Louis XIV, in the estimation of Voltaire. He received his education in the college of Jesuits at Rouen, where the quickness of his parts became conspicuous at a very early period. He was capable of writing Latin verses when only 13, which were deemed worthy of being published. He studied the law at the desire of his father; but as he lost the very first cause in which he was employed as an advocate, he became disgusted with his profession, and devoted himself entirely to literature and philosophy. He composed a considerable part of the operas of Pyche and Belleroche, which were printed under the name of his uncle Thomas Corneille. He wrote a tragedy called Aspar; but as it did not succeed, he consigned the manuscript to the flames, and never afterwards attempted that species of composition. His Dialogues of the dead were published in the year 1683, which were well received, as a specimen of elegant composition, combining morality with the charms of literature. His Lettres du Chevalier d'Her, published in 1685 without his name, discovered much wit and ingenuity, but at the same time no small share of affectation. His Entretiens sur la Pluralité des Mondes, has been regarded as one of his ablest performances, combining science and philosophy with vivacity and humour, a talent which may be said to belong almost exclusively to the French. It was perused by all, and translated into several foreign languages.

In his History of Oracles, he supported the opinion that oracles were forgeries, in opposition to those who contended that they were supernatural operations of evil spirits, put to silence by the appearing of Christ, and of consequence he exposed himself to clerical animadversion. His Pastoral Poems appeared in the year 1688, with a discourse on the nature of the eclogue, which were very much admired for their delicacy of sentiment, as was also his opera of Thetis and Peleus; but his Æneas and Lavinia was not so successful. In the year 1699, Fontenelle was chosen secretary of the Academy of Sciences, which office he held during the long period of 42 years. He published a volume annually of the history of that learned body, filled with analyses of memoirs, and eulogiums on deceased members.

As a poet, he did not rise above elegance and ingenuity; as a man of science, he rather excelled in throwing light on the inventions of others, than in discovering any new truth himself, and as a general writer, he united solid sense with the delicacy and refinement of a man of wit. He studied his own happiness as much as most men, but he never sacrificed to the promotion of it, the duties of a man of honour and virtue. He had many friends, and towards the close of life, scarcely a single enemy. He was never married, and for a man of letters he acquired considerable influence. Although of a delicate constitution, he reached the great age of 90 without any complaint but dulness of hearing. He died on the 9th of January 1757, being almost a hundred years of age. When asked by a certain person Fontenelle person how he could pass so easily through the world, he replied, "by virtue of these two axioms; All is possible, and every one is in the right."