Jean Baptiste Dubos

Jean-Baptiste Dubos (French: [dybo]; 14 December 1670 – 23 March 1742), also referred to as l'Abbé Du Bos, was a French author. Dubos was born in Beauvais. After studying theology, he gave it up in favour of public law and politics. He was emplyed by M. de Torcy, minister of foreign affairs, and by the regent and Cardinal Dubois in several secret missions, in which he acquitted himself with great success. He was rewarded with a pension and other advantages. Having obtained these, he retired from political life and devoted himself to history and literature. He gained such distinction as an author that in 1720 he was elected a member of the Académie française, of which, in 1723, he was appointed perpetual secretary in succession to André Dacier. He died in Paris, repeating the remark, "Death is a law, not a punishment."