(1790-1832) Orientalist, born Figeac, France; died Paris, France. He was particularly distinguished as an Egyptologist, was curator of the Egyptian museum of the Louvre, accompanied Rosellini on a voyage of exploration to Egypt, and was appointed to the chair of Egyptian archaeology at the College de France, a post specially created for him. His chief glory consists in having discovered through the Rosetta Stone a key for deciphering hieroglyphics. The system was published, 1824. He was the author of numerous works on Egyptology, including a valuable Egyptian grammar and dictionary.