15 Facts About George Psalmanazar

George Psalmanazar subsequently became a theological essayist, and a friend and acquaintance of Samuel Johnson and other noted figures in 18th-century literary London.

Indeed, by his own account George Psalmanazar was something of a child prodigy.

In late 1702, George Psalmanazar met the Scottish priest Alexander Innes, who was the chaplain of a Scottish army unit.

George Psalmanazar declared himself to be a reformed heathen who now practised Anglicanism.

George Psalmanazar became a favourite of the Bishop of London Henry Compton and other esteemed members of London society.

George Psalmanazar's book described the Formosan language, an early example of a constructed language.

George Psalmanazar was frequently challenged by sceptics, but for the most part he managed to deflect criticism of his core claims.

George Psalmanazar explained, for instance, that his pale skin was due to the fact that the upper classes of Formosa lived underground.

George Psalmanazar's claims became increasingly less credible as time went on and knowledge of Formosa from other sources began to contradict his claims.

George Psalmanazar then participated in the literary milieu of Grub Street, writing pamphlets, editing books and undertaking other low-paid and unglamorous tasks.

George Psalmanazar learned Hebrew, co-authored Samuel Palmer's A General History of Printing, and contributed a number of articles to the Universal History.

George Psalmanazar even contributed to A Complete System of Geography and wrote about the real conditions in Formosa, pointedly criticising the hoax he himself had perpetrated.

George Psalmanazar appears to have become increasingly religious and disowned his youthful impostures.

In later years Johnson recalled that George Psalmanazar had been well known in his neighbourhood as an eccentric but saintly figure, "whereof he was so well known and esteemed, that scarce any person, even children, passed him without showing him signs of respect".

George Psalmanazar interacted with a number of other important English literary figures of his age.