author
Charles Rollin
1661–1741
A celebrated French teacher and historian, he helped shape how generations of readers encountered the ancient world. His clear, moral-minded histories and practical ideas about education kept his name alive long after his lifetime.
2 Audiobooks
About the author
Born in Paris in 1661, Charles Rollin rose from modest beginnings to become one of France’s best-known educators. He studied at the Collège du Plessis, later taught there, and went on to serve as rector of the University of Paris. He was especially admired for his commitment to learning and for encouraging a broader, more humane style of education.
Rollin is best remembered for his historical writing, especially Ancient History and Roman History, works that introduced many readers to Egypt, Greece, Rome, and other classical civilizations. He also wrote Traité des Études, a book on teaching that argued for thoughtful instruction, the study of history, and the use of clear language in the classroom.
He died in 1741, but his influence lasted for generations. For readers today, his work offers both a window into the ancient past and a glimpse of how history was taught and understood in early modern Europe.