Franciscus Raphelengius

Frans van Ravelingen Latinized Franciscus Raphelengius (February 27, 1539 – July 20, 1597), was a Flemish-born scholar, printer and publisher, working in Antwerp and later in Leiden.

This was the first publication by printing press of a book-length dictionary for the Arabic language in Latin.

When the civil wars forced him to leave France, he travelled to Cambridge, England, where he may have taught Greek letters.

Plantin soon realised the value Raphelengius could have for him due to his ability to read and write Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Chaldean, Siriaque, Arabic, French, Flemish and other languages.

His scholarly printing qualities were one of the attractions that drew Joseph Justus Scaliger to Leiden in 1593.