Rollin, Charles

Charles (1661-1741), a French historian. He was a native of Paris. His father was a cutler. He received a liberal education and held several important educational positions, including the rectorship of the University of Paris. He was noted for his eloquence and for the advocacy of classical studies, particularly Greek. He is known best as the author of an Ancient History which appeared in Paris in 1730-1738 in twelve volumes. It is a compendium of the antiquities, military events, literature, and dynasties of the ancient nations. It was written in an attractive style and was prodigiously popular. It was translated into many foreign languages. Frederick the Great wrote the author a personal letter complimenting him on his interesting style. Though now regarded as a rather youthful production, and necessarily inaccurate as to facts, the Ancient History is still good reading. The chapters on the early agriculture and antiquities of Egypt are particularly interesting.