(Encyclopedia) Watteau, Jean-AntoineWatteau, Jean-Antoinewätōˈ, Fr. zhäNˈ-äNtwäNˈ vätōˈ [key], 1684–1721, French painter of Flemish descent, b. Valenciennes. Until 1704 poverty forced him to work in…
(Encyclopedia) Burlamaqui, Jean JacquesBurlamaqui, Jean JacqueszhäN zhäk b&oobreve;rlämäkēˈ [key], 1694–1748, Swiss jurist. His chief works are Principes du droit naturel [principles of natural…
(Encyclopedia) Bokassa, Jean-BédelBokassa, Jean-BédelzhäN-bĕdĕlˈ bōkäsˈsä [key], 1921–96, president of Central African Republic (1966–79). He served (1939–61) in the French army, then organized his…
(Encyclopedia) Boyer, Jean PierreBoyer, Jean PierrezhäN pyĕr bwäyāˈ [key], 1776–1850, president of Haiti (1818–43). A free mulatto, he fought under Toussaint Louverture and then joined André Rigaud,…
(Encyclopedia) Brunhoff, Jean deBrunhoff, Jean dezhäN də brüˈnôf [key], 1899–1937, French author and illustrator of children's books, b. Paris. He wrote and illustrated The Story of Babar, the Little…
(Encyclopedia) Biot, Jean BaptisteBiot, Jean BaptistezhäN bätēstˈ byō [key], 1774–1862, French physicist, grad. École Polytechnique (1797). He taught mathematics at Beauvais before becoming (1800)…
(Encyclopedia) Blanchard, Jean PierreBlanchard, Jean PierrezhäN pyĕr bläNshärˈ [key], or François BlanchardFrançois BlanchardfräNswäˈ [key], 1753–1809, French balloonist. In 1785 he made with Dr.…
(Encyclopedia) Regnard, Jean FrançoisRegnard, Jean FrançoiszhäN fräNswäˈ rənyärˈ [key], 1655–1709, French comic dramatist. He traveled widely in Europe; captured by Barbary pirates, he was held in…
(Encyclopedia) Sponde, Jean deSponde, Jean dezhäN də spôNd [key], 1557–95, French poet and humanist. He held various posts in the court of Henry IV but died destitute because of his reckless nature.…
(Encyclopedia) Stas, Jean ServaisStas, Jean ServaiszhäNˈ sĕrvāˈ stäs [key], 1813–91, Belgian chemist. He was assistant to J. B. A. Dumas and professor (1840–65) at the École royale militaire,…