DESMAISEAUX

desmaiseaux, pierre (1673-1745); french writer, was born at saillat, probably in 1673. his father, a minister of the reformed church, had to leave france on the revocation of the edict of nantes, and took refuge in geneva, where pierre was educated. bayle gave him an introduction to the 3rd lord shaftesbury, with whom, in 1699, he came to england, where he engaged in literary work. he remained in close touch with the religious refugees in england and holland, and constantly in correspondence with the leading continental savants and writers, who were in the habit of employing him to conduct such business as they might have in england. in 1720 he was elected a fellow of the royal society. among his works are _vie de st evremond_ (1711), _vie de boileau-despreaux_ (1712), _vie de bayle_ (1730). he also took an active part in preparing the _bibliotheque raisonnee des ouvrages de l'europe_ (1728-1753), and the _bibliotheque britannique_ (1733-1747), and edited a selection of st evremond's writings (1706). part of desmaiseaux's correspondence is preserved in the british museum, and other letters are in the royal library at copenhagen. he died on the 11th of july 1745.