Schott, Heinrich August
Schott, Heinrich August an eminent German theologian of the so called supernaturalist school, was born at Leipsic, Dec. 5, 1780, and died Dec. 29, 1835. He began his university studies at the age of sixteen, and was soon distinguished for his fine Latin style and for his progress in theology. Among his teachers at Leipsic were Beck, Platner, Cams, and Keil. In 1801 he began to give lectures, and in 1803 he became one of the university preachers. His edition of the works of Dionysius of Halicarnassus (1804) gave him a place in the world of learning; still more so his edition of the New Testament with Latin translation (Leips. 1805). In 1809 he became professor of theology at Wittenberg, and lectured with great success on dogmatics, hermeneutics, and sacred eloquence. His Epitome Theologioe Christianoe (1811) was an able work, but its usefulness was diminished by its complicated style. In 1812 he went to Jena, and there spent the rest of his fruitful life. The nucleus of a preachers' seminary which he there formed was richly endowed in 1817. His lectures were delivered in Latin. His work on eloquence, Die Theorie der Beredtsamkeit (Leips. 1815; 2d ed. 1828), is his best title to lasting fame; but his Isagoge Historico-critica in Libros Novi Foederis Sacros (Jen. 1830) is abundant in erudition, and still deserves study. In character Schott was upright, simple, and deeply pious. His motto expressed his life — "proving, believing, diligent." He was a scholar and a theologian of the noblest type. He died in 1835. See his Life by Danz (Leips. 1836); Herzog, Real-Encyklop. 13, 698-701. (J.P.L.)