born Jan. 6, 1585, Meximieux, France
died February 1650, Paris
French grammarian.
He played a major role in standardizing the French language of literature and of polite society. His Remarks on the French Language, Useful for Those Who Wish to Speak Well and Write Well (1647) became an authoritative guide to French usage, and his writings formed the basis of the rules for pure and elegant French promulgated by the Académie Française , of which he was an original member.