STEPHEN, professor of the Arabic and Chinese languages, and one of the most learned men of his time, was born at Herbelai, a village four leagues from Paris, in 1683. He studied in Mazarine college, and afterwards in the Seminary of Thirty-three. He was at length professor of Arabic in the Royal College, and was made a member of the Academy of Inscriptions. In 1738, he was chosen a member of the Royal Society of London, and of that of Berlin in 1741. He was often consulted by the duke of Orleans, first prince of the blood; who had a particular esteem for him, and made him one of his secretaries. He wrote a great number of books; the most considerable of those which have been printed are, 1. The Roots of the Latin Tongue, in verse. 2. Critical Reflections on the Histories of ancient Nations, 2 vols. 4to. 3. Meditationes Sinice, folio. 4. A Chinese Grammar, in Latin, folio. 5. Several dissertations printed in the Memoirs of the Academy of Inscriptions, &c. He died at Paris in 1744.

He ought not to be confounded with Michael Fourmont, his youngest brother; who took orders, was professor of the Syriac language in the Royal College, and a member of the Academy of Inscriptions. He died in 1746.