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Johann Christoph Wilhelm Ludwig Doderlein

1911 Encyclopedia Britannica

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JOHANN CHRISTOPH WILHELM LUDWIG DODERLEIN (1791-1863), German philologist, was born at Jena on the 19th of December 1791. His father, Johann Christoph D6derlein, professor of theology at Jena, was celebrated for his varied learning, for his eloquence as a preacher, and for the important influence he exerted in guiding the transition movement from strict orthodoxy to a freer theology. Ludwig D6derlein, after receiving his preliminary education at Windsheim and Schulpforta (Pforta), studied at Munich, Heidelberg, Erlangen and Berlin. He devoted his chief attention to philology under the instruction of such men as F. Thiersch, G. F. Creuzer, H. Voss, F. A. Wolf, August Bockh and P. K. Buttmann. In 1815, soon after completing his studies at Berlin, he accepted the appointment of ordinary professor of philology in the academy of Bern. In 1819 he was transferred to Erlangen, where he became second professor of philology in the university and rector of the gymnasium. In 1827 he became first professor of philology and rhetoric and director of the philological seminary. He died on the 9th of November 1863. D6derlein's most elaborate work as a philologist was marred by over-subtlety, and lacked method and clearness. He is best known by his Lateinische Synonymen and Etymologien (1826-1838), and his Homerisches Glossarium (1850-1858). To the same class belong his Lateinische Wortbildung (1838), Handbuch der lateinischen Synonymik (1839), and the Handbuch der lateinischen Etymologie (1841), besides various works of a more elementary kind intended for the use of schools and gymnasia. Most of the works named have been translated into English. To critical philology D6derlein contributed valuable editions of Tacitus ( Opera, 1847; Germania, with a German translation) and Horace ( Epistolae, with a German translation, 1856-1858; Satirae, 1860). His Reden and Aufsdtze (Erlangen, 1843-1847) and Ofentliche Reden (1860) consist chiefly of academic addresses dealing with various subjects in paedagogy and philology.