Regnard, Jean François, comic dramatist, born in Paris; inherited a fortune, which he increased by gambling; took to travelling, and was at 22 captured by an Algerine pirate, and when ransomed continued to travel; on his return to Paris wrote comedies, twenty-three in number, the best of them being “Le Joueur” and “Le Légataire,” following closely in the steps of Molière; he was admired by Boileau (1656‒1710).
Definition taken from The Nuttall Encyclopædia, edited by the Reverend James Wood (1907)
Regium Donum * Regnault, Henri