Charles de Brosses was an 18th-century French writer and historian, best known for his work on the history of the Americas. He was born in 1709 and became a prominent figure in the study of indigenous cultures, particularly through his book, Du Culte des Dieux Fétiches, which explored the religious practices of various societies. De Brosses is often recognized for his contributions to the field of anthropology, as he was one of the first to analyze the belief systems of non-European cultures. His insights laid the groundwork for future studies in ethnology and helped to broaden European perspectives on indigenous peoples.