Lorsbach, Georg Wilhelm

Lorsbach, Georg Wilhelm a German theologian, was born at Dillenburg, in the duchy of Nassau, February 29, 1752. In 1768 he entered the University of Herborn; in 1771 he removed to that of Göttingen, and became there an enthusiastic student of the Oriental languages under Michaelis. After having finished the academical course, he spent four years in private study in his father's house, preparing himself for the ministry. In 1778 he became rector at Siegen; in 1786, at the grammar-school of his native place, and obtained, at the same time, the dignity of professor; in 1791, rector at the grammar-school of Herborn, and, at the same time, professor of Oriental languages at the academy there, and in the following year was appointed to lecture at the university of that place on history and exegesis. In 1793 he became the third professor ordinary of divinity; in 1794, the second professor and a counselor of the Consistory. Having become famous, by reason of his literary contributions, as an eminent Orientalist, he was, in 1812, called to the University of Jena as professor of Oriental literature. The theological faculty of Marburg bestowed on him the degree of doctor of divinity. He died March 30, 1816. He belongs to the few and rare scholars of the ancient languages who combined acuteness with extensive learning. De Sacy places him among the first German Orientalists. He published an Archiv d. morgenlandischen Literatur (Marburg, 1791-94, 2 bde. 8vo). See Doring, Gelehrte Theol. Deutschlands, volume 2, s.v.