George Psalmanazar

French forger

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 13, 2026

Quick Summary

George Psalmanazar, a Frenchman, was a notorious impostor who gained significant success in England by falsely claiming to be from Formosa (Taiwan). He published a book detailing his supposed experiences on the island, despite never having visited it. Psalmanazar's elaborate deception highlights the common motive of financial gain behind literary forgeries. His case is one example of individuals who have attempted to deceive others through fabricated identities and narratives.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

forgery
Instances of literary forgery
…the experts look foolish is George Psalmanazar (1679?–1763). A Frenchman, he went to England where he pretended, with great success, to be a native of Formosa (Taiwan), and published a book about that island, which he had never visited. Another is William Lauder, who attempted to prove John Milton guilty…
Read More
…the experts look foolish is George Psalmanazar (1679?–1763). A Frenchman, he went to England where he pretended, with great success, to be a native of Formosa (Taiwan), and published a book about that island, which he had never visited. Another is William Lauder, who attempted to prove John Milton guilty…
Read More