Brant, Sebastian

Brant, Sebastian (also called Titio), a German satirist, was born in 1458 at Strasburg. He studied law and literature at Basle, took in 1480 his degree as doctor of law, and was for some time teacher there. In 1500 he returned to his native city and was made syndicus in 1501, a position which he occupied till his death, May 10, 1521. He is best known as the author of the famous satirical poem Das Narrenschiff (Basle, 1494), which has not only been often reprinted, but was also translated into Latin, French, and English; best edition of the original text by F. Zarncke (Leipsic, 1871); Simrock has translated it into modern German (Berlin, 1872). Besides, he also published two volumes of Latin poems, In Laudem Gloriosae Virg. Mariae Multorumque Sanctorum Varii Generis (Basle, 1494), and Varia Sebast. Brant Carmina (ibid. 1498). See Koch, Geschichte des deutschen Kirchenliedes, 1:150 sq.; Scherer in Herzog's Real-Encyklop. s.v.; Chas. Schmidt, Sebastian Brant (1874). (B.P.)