GRIMM, Friedrich Melchior, BARON von, French author: b. Ratisbon, 26 Dec. 1723; d. Gotha, 19 Dec. 1807. Having completed his studies at Leipzig he accompanied the young Count de Schonberg to Paris. Here he became reader to the Crown Prince of Saxe-Gotha, but the situation was not remunerative, and Grimm was in straightened circumstances when he became acquainted with Rousseau. The latter introduced him to Diderot, Halbach, Madame d'Epinay, and other distinguished per sons, and he soon became a general favorite. His connection with the Encyclopedists, and his intellectual gifts and versatility of mind, soon opened to him a' brilliant career. He became secretary to the Duke of Orleans, and began to write his literary bulletins for several.Germaa princes, containing the ablest analysis of all the more important works. It is believed that in these works he was assisted by the Abbe Raynal and Diderot. In 1776 he was raised
by the Duke of Gotha to the rank of baron, and appointed Minister Plenipotentiary at the French court. On the outbreak of the French Revolution he withdrew to Gotha, and in 1795 the Empress of Russia appointed him her Minister Plenipotentiary at Hamburg In ill health, he returned to Gotha, «here he died. His (Correspondance litteraire, pbilosophique et critique> was published after his death. A sups element is the