René Le, an eminent French critic, born at Paris, March 16, 1631. He studied at Nanterre; and in 1649 entered among the regular canons of Sainte-Geneviève. After having professed the humanities in different religious houses for twelve years, he withdrew into retirement. His first publication was Parallèle des Principes de la Physique d'Aristote et de celle de René Descartes, which appeared in 1674. He attempted, says Voltaire, to reconcile Aristotle and Descartes, not aware that it had become necessary to abandon both. His next work, entitled Traits du Poème Épique, was published in 1675, and often reprinted afterwards. Its leading doctrine is that the subject should be chosen before the characters, and that the action should be arranged without reference to the personages who are to figure in the scene. Nevertheless, Boileau, in his Third Reflection on Longinus, pronounces this work "l'un des meilleurs livres de poétique qui, du consentement de tous les habiles gens, aient été faits en notre langue." In abatement of this commendation, however, it may be stated, on the authority of Le Courayer, that Le Bossu had defended Boileau against Saint-Sorlin, by whom he had been attacked; that Boileau expressed himself exceedingly grateful for this service; and that a sense of obligation may perhaps have dictated the commendation he bestowed on the work. Bossu died March 14, 1680.