Arnoult de Lisle

In 1587, Arnoult de Lisle was appointed at 31 as the first professor of the chair of Arabic founded for him by Henry III of France at the Collège de France, and received the title of "lecteur et professeur du Roy en langue Arabique".

[1] He had become interested in the position in order to learn the Arabic language on the spot as a way to further his medical knowledge.

Although Arnoult de Lisle was not officially Consul, he acted as an agent to the king of France and played a diplomatic role.

He held the teaching position until 1613, although he doesn't seem to have taught regularly, and continued with diplomatic endeavours.

[2] In 1606–7, Henry IV of France again sent Arnoult de Lisle to Morocco as ambassador, in order to obtain the observance of past friendship treaties.