Pfeiffer, Augustus, Dd

Pfeiffer, Augustus, D.D.

a learned German Lutheran divine, noted as an Orientalist, was born at Lauenburg October 30, 1640, and was educated at Wittenberg. In 1673 he entered the ministry, and thereafter held several important pastorates. In 1681 he became archdeacon to the church of St. Thomas at Leipsic, in which city he also held a chair in theology at the university. In 1689 he was made superintendent of the churches at Lubeck, and died there January 11, 1698. Pfeiffer was one of the most skilful philologists of his time. He is said to have known seventy languages. His library was rich in Hebrew, Arabic, Coptic, Armenian, Persian, and Chinese MSS., and he left many learned writings. His philological works were all collected under the title Opera omnia philologica (Utrecht, 1704, 2 volumes, 4to). His other publications were, Theologia Judaica atque Mohanmmedica (Lips. 1687. 12mo): — Antiquitates selectae, ab Ugolino notis illustratae (in Ugolino, 4:1173): — Exercitatio de Theraphim (ibid. 23:549): — Diatribe de poesa Hebr. recognita (ibid. 31:899; transl. into Engl. by D.A. Taylor, with additions, in the Bibl. Repos. volumes 6-9): — Manuductio nova etfacilis ad accentuationen, etc. (Ugol. 31:927): — Specimen de monzialibus Vet. Test. (ibid. 32:657): — Specimen de voce vexata , סלה (ibid. 32:743): — Specimen de Psalmis Graduum (ibid. 32:675). See Darling, Cyclop. Bibliog. s.v.; Rotermund's Suppl. to Jocher, Gelehrten-Lexikon, s.v. Pipping; Memoriae theologorum, s.v. (J.H.W.)