LEROI, JULIEN DA.VID, horn in 1724, was the son of an eminent watchmaker at Paris. Having made choice of architecture as a pro 'mien, he applied himself to the study of it in a very different manner 'rem the plodding routine then established; and being anxious to 3ecome acquainted with the art in the remains of antiquity, then very ittle known, after passing some years at Rome, he visited Greece in [754. On his return he gave the world the fruits of his researches in ris Ruines des plus beaux Monumens de la Grace.' Although not free from numerous errors, which were subsequently exposed by Stuart, and which the author corrected in his second edition (1770), this work had the merit of being the first publication of the kind le first attempt to show what Grecian architecture actually was. Undoubtedly its value has since been greatly diminished by the more accurate labours of Stuart and others, but its appearance forms an epoch in the chronology of the art. It certainly contributed much to correct the vitiated taste that had long been in vogue in France, and to open new views in regard to architecture, which meritorious aim was assiduously followed up by its author in the excellent lessons he delivered during forty yea's as professor. His whole life was devoted
to his own studies, and the instruction of others; and such were his zeal and disinterestedness, that he cheerfully continued his services as professor gratuitously in the latter part of his life, though the troubles of the revolution had greatly impaired his fortune, and though the infirmities of age were increasing upon him. He died at Paris, uni versally regretted, in January 1803, aged seventy-five. Besides the one above mentioned, Leroi published several other works, among which are, 'Histoire de la Disposition, Sec., des Temples des Chrdtiens,' 8vo, 1761; Observations sur les Edifices des Anciens Peuplea,' 8vo, 1767 ; and 'De la Marine dee Anciens Peuplea,' Sea, 1777.