Dictionary of Indian Biography/Anquetil Du Perron, Abraham Hyacinthe
ANQUETIL DU PERRON, ABRAHAM HYACINTHE (1731–1805)
Brother of L. P. Hyacinthe, the French historian : born at Paris in 1731 : being bent on studying Oriental languages, he went to India as a private soldier in 1754, and acquired considerable knowledge of Sanskrit, translating a dictionary in that language : on the taking of Pondicherry by the English he returned to Europe and conveyed his MSS. to Paris, where he was appointed Oriental interpreter to the King's Library : was Member of the Academy of Inscriptions and Belles Lettres, and the National Institute, and one of the most celebrated of the literati of Europe : he died Jan. 17, 1805.