Oberlin, Jeremiah James

Oberlin, Jeremiah James an eminent French educator, was an elder brother of the philanthropist Oberlin, and was born at Strasburg August 7, 1735. He was educated at the gymnasium of that town. He afterwards spent a few months at Montbeliard for the, purpose of learning the French language, and returned to Strasburg in 1750, where he prosecuted his university studies. He took the degree of doctor of philosophy in 1758, and afterwards paid considerable attention to the study of theology. In 1768 he was appointed a teacher in the gymnasium where he had been. educated, and in 1763 was entrusted with the care of the library of the University of Strasburg, and obtained permission to give lectures on the Latin language. In 1770 he was appointed professor of rhetoric, and from that time was accustomed to give lectures on Greek and Roman archaeology, ancient geography, etc. In 1778 he was appointed extraordinary professor in the university, in 1782 ordinary professor of logic and metaphysics, and in 1787 director of the gymnasium. During the Revolution his life was in considerable danger. He was imprisoned at the beginning of November, 1793, but obtained his liberty at the end of a few months, and again resumed his lectures at Strasburg, continuing them till his death, which took place Oct. 10, 1806. Oberlin was an accurate and industrious scholar. He published good editions of several of the Latin classics, of which his Tacitus and Caesar are considered the most valuable. He had also paid great attention to the study of the ancient French language, and traveled more than once through some of the provinces of France in order to become acquainted with the different patois spoken in the country. He published several works on this subject. He was also the author of several other works, the principal of which are, Dissertatio Philologica de Veterum Ritu condiendi Mortuos (1757): — Rituum Romanorum Tabulce in usum Auditorum (1774; reprinted.in 1784): — Jungendorum Marium Fluviorumque omnis cevi Molimina (1770-1775):and Dissertations sur les Minnesingers (the Troubadours of Alsace) (1782-1789). The life of Oberlin has been written by Schweighauser in Latin, and by Winckler in the Magas. Encyclopd. (1807).,