Sales, F. (Francis), 1771-1854

Francis Sales (1771-1854), a Harvard instructor of French and Spanish from 1816 to 1854, was born in Thuir, France. Sales immigrated to the United States in June 1793 and gave French and Spanish lessons in Boston until 1816, when he was appointed the instructor of French and Spanish at Harvard. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, George Ticknor, and Charles Sumner were among Sales's pupils, and beginning in 1822, Sales authored a number of French and Spanish language textbooks. In 1835, he received an honorary degree from Harvard. Citing his failing health, Sales attempted to resign from Harvard in 1852, but he continued teaching until January 1854. He died on February 16, 1854. Sales married Mary Hilliard on July 24, 1796 and they had one daughter, Mary Catherine Sales. The Sales Prize, which was funded by a bequest from Sales, continues to be awarded for the best essay written in Spanish by a Harvard undergraduate.

From the guide to the Papers of Francis Sales, 1798-1854, (Harvard University Archives)

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