Prevostd Exiles

Prevost d'Exiles, Axtoine Francois (1697-1708), was born at Hesdin, Artois. He was educated by the Jesuits, and in 1720 became a Benedictine of St. Maur, but more than once ran away from his studies and enlisted as a soldier. He also passed six years in Holland and England. His first novel, Memoires d'un Homme de Qualite, appeared in 1728. It was followed by Cleveland and Manon Lescaut, his masterpiece. The Abbe Prevost also translated Pamela and Clarissa Marlowe. Another novel of his which is still read is Histoire d'une Grecque Moderne. Prevost was chaplain for many years to the Prince de Conti, and died suddenly of apoplexy.