Charles-Jean-François Hénault (; 8 February 1685 – 24 November 1770) was a French writer and historian.
Life and career
Early years
Hénault was born in Paris. His father, René Jean Rémy Hénault de Cantobre (1648–1737) a farmer-general of taxes, Ferme générale, was a man of literary tastes, and young Hénault obtained a good education at the Jesuit college, Lycée Louis-le-Grand. His mother was Françoise de Ponthon (died 1738).
Captivated by the eloquence of Massillon, in his fifteenth year he entered the Oratory with the view of becoming a preacher but after two-years' residence he changed his intention, and, inheriting a position which secured him access to the most select society of Paris, he achieved distinction at an early period by his witty and graceful manners.