Schultens, Heinrich Albert

Schultens, Heinrich Albert an Orientalist, the son of Johann Jacob, and grandson of Albert Schultens (q.v.), was born at Herborn, Central Germany, Feb. 15, 1749. He began the study of Greek and Latin, under the direction of the most celebrated instructors of Leyden, at the age of seven years, and followed it with that of Oriental languages and antiquities. He also became acquainted with the English, French, and German among modern tongues. In 1772 he visited England to make use of the Bodleian Library; and on his return, though not yet twenty-four years of age, was made professor of Oriental languages in the Academy of Amsterdam, and in 1782 he was inducted into the chair previously occupied by his father and grandfather. His literary labors were expended chiefly on Arabic authors, and the continued effort required to prepare the Proverbs of Meidani undermined his health. He died of a slow fever, Aug. 12, 1793. Everard Scheid, his friend and successor, delivered his eulogium. For his life, comp. Series Continuata Histor. Batav. per Wagenaer, pars 1, p. 364-380; also the unimportant sketch by Rink, H.A. Schultens, etc. (Riga, 1794, 8vo).