Herbelot

Herbelot, BARTHÉLEMY D' (1625–95), orientalist, was born in Paris, and became (1692) professor of Syriac in the Collège de France. His Bibliothèque Orientale, was published after his death by Galland (1697; 3d ed. 4 vols. 1777–83). It is a universal dictionary of all knowledge known to the Orient, and is principally based upon the Arabic work of Hajji Khalfa; although lacking in critical accuracy, it is full of important information for those who do not read Arabic and other oriental tongues.