[Boiardo, Matteo Maria], Count of Scandiano, surnamed the "Flower of Chivalry"; an Italian poet, courtier, diplomatist, and statesman; author of "Orlando Innamorato" (1456), the model of Ariosto's "Orlando Furioso," which eclipsed it (1434-1494).
[Boieldieu, Adrien François], a distinguished French musical composer of operas; author of the "Calife de Bagdad," "Télémaque," and "La Dame Blanche," reckoned his masterpiece; called the French Mozart (1775-1834).
[Boigne, Count de], a French soldier of fortune, born at Chambéry; served under France, Russia, East India Company, and the prince of the Mahrattas, to whom he rendered signal service; amassed wealth, which he dealt out generously and for the benefit of his country (1751-1830).
[Boii], an ancient people of Gaul, occupying territory between the Allier and the Loire.
[Boileau, Nicolas] (surnamed Despréaux, to distinguish him from his brother), poet and critic, born in Paris; brought up to the law, but devoted to letters, associating himself with La Fontaine, Racine, and Molière; author of "Satires" and "Epistles," "L'Art Poétique," "Le Lutrin," &c., in which he attached and employed his wit against the bad taste of his time; did much to reform French poetry, as Pascal did to reform the prose, and was for long the law-giver of Parnassus; was an imitator of Pope, but especially of Horace (1636-1711).
[Boisard], a French fabulist of remarkable fecundity (1743-1831).
[Bois-Guillebert], a French economist, cousin of Vauban; advocate of free trade; d. 1714.
[Bois-le-Duc] (27), capital of North Brabant, 45 m. SE. of Amsterdam, and with a fine cathedral; seat of an archbishop.
[Boismont, The Abbé], one of the best French pulpit orators of the 18th century (1715-1786).
[Boisrobert, The Abbé], a French poet, one of the first members of the French Academy; patronised by Richelieu (1592-1662).