Dictionary.net

A French historian and philosopher; born near Bourg, Feb. 17, 1803; died at Versailles, March 27, 1875. His works fill nearly thirty volumes, of which only a small part has any permanent value, as he is vague and undetermined, in spite of his real learning and ability. He went to Greece on a government mission, and was made professor of foreign literatures at Lyons, and afterwards at the College de France in Paris. He was on the staff of the Revue des Deux Mondes, and received the cross of the Legion of Honor in 1838. His principles were strongly republican, and brought him into trouble more than once. His leading works are: "Ahasuerus" (1834); "Merlin the Enchanter" (1861); "The Revolution" (1865); and "The Creation" (1869). He also wrote several long poems, of which perhaps "The Slaves" (1853) is the best.