Antoine Galland (1646–1715) was a French Orientalist, archaeologist, and translator best known for introducing Les Mille et Une Nuits (The Thousand and One Nights) to Europe. 

Educated in classical languages and oriental studies, Galland traveled extensively in the Levant, collecting manuscripts and learning Arabic, Persian, and Turkish. His French adaptation of the tales, published between 1704 and 1717, was not a literal translation but a literary reworking based on Arabic manuscripts and oral stories he heard, including some not found in the original Arabic corpus - such as the famous tale of Aladdin. Galland’s elegant, accessible style captivated European audiences, sparking widespread fascination with Middle Eastern culture and inspiring countless later editions, translations, and adaptations.