Du Halde, Jean Baptiste

Du Halde, Jean Baptiste a learned Jesuit, was born at Paris, 1674, and entered the Jesuit order in 1708. His superiors gave him the task of editing the letters of missionary Jesuits, especially of those in China. The fruit of his labors appeared in his Description geographiue et historique de 'l'empire de la Chine (Paris, 1735, 4 volumes, fol.); translated, The general History of China (London, 1736,4 volumes, 8vo). After the death of Legobien (q.v.), Du Halde continued the publication of the celebrated Letters Edifantes et Curieuses ecrites des missions etrangeres, depuis le 9'"e recueil jusqu'au 26me. He died at Paris August 18, 1743.