Alfarabius, an Arabian philosopher, died about 950. He travelled, acquired the knowledge of a large number of languages, and settled at Damascus, where he was joyfully received by the Abbasside caliph, who settled a pension upon him. He led an extremely temperate life, approaching asceticism. His writings were very voluminous and comprehensive, and he is reputed to have been the first who attempted the compilation of an encyclopaedia, the MS. of which is in the Escurial.