Psalmanazar

Psalmanazar, Geoege, was born probably in the south of France about 1680. After wandering about the Continent in various characters, he came to England in the early years of the ISth century. He pretended to be a Formosan, and wrote a book on that oountry in 1704, and translated the Church Catechism into what was supposed to be that language. He was believed in by Compton, Bishop of London, and Dr. Johnson, but was certainly a thorough impostor. After playing many parts, he died an old man in London in 1763. He was a great opium-eater.