Claude Buffier (1661 - 1731) was a French Philosopher, Historian and teacher.  He was born in Poland to French parents who resettled in Rouen soon after he was born.  He was educated at the Jesuit school in Rouen and was ordained as a Jesuit Priest at the age of nineteen. After living for some years in Rome, he settles back in Rouen, teaching in the Jesuit school.  In 1724 he published his major work of philosophy, ‘Traité des premières vérités ‘. This work built largely on the ideas of Descartes, but remained influential in French philosophy throughout the 18^th and 19^th centuries.

Buffier also wrote educational works in History and Geography.  His 'Geografia Universale' was first published 1720 and was reprinted and many times during the 18^th and early 19^th Century.  This map is from the 1746 edition published in Paris. The engraver was F. Desbrulins (active 1719-57).