George Psalmanazar | |
|---|---|
_-_George_Psalmanazar.jpg) George Psalmanazar (1679–1763) | |
| Born | c. 1679–1684 south France |
| Died | 3 May 1763 (aged 78–84) Ironmonger Row, London, England |
| Occupation(s) | Memoirist, imposter |
| Known for | Formosan culture memoir hoax |
George Psalmanazar (c. 1679 – 3 May 1763) was a Frenchman who claimed to be the first native of Formosa (today Taiwan) to visit Europe. For some years, he convinced many in Britain, but he was eventually revealed to be of European origin. He subsequently became a theological essayist, and a friend and acquaintance of Samuel Johnson and other noted figures in 18th-century literary London.