Seckendorf, Vitus Louis Von

Seckendorf, Vitus Louis Von, a noted German statesman of the Reformation period, was born at Aurach, a town of Franconia, Dec. 20, 1626. The great progress in his studies made in his youth coming to the ears of Ernest the Pious, duke of Saxe-Ootha, this prince brought him to Gotha to be educated with his children. After remaining two years, he went in 1642 to Strasburg; and, returning to Gotha in 1646, was made honorary librarian to the duke. In 1651 he was made aulic and ecclesiastical councillor; and in 1663 council-lot of state, first minister and sovereign director of the consistory. The year after, he went into the service of Maurice, duke of Saxe-Zeist, as councillor of state and chancellor. He remained with him until his death, in 1681, and led a life of retirement, writing many works. Frederick III, elector of Brandenburg, made him councillor of state and chancellor of the University of Halle, dignities which he did not long enjoy. He died at Halle Dec. 18,1692. The work of his held in the highest estimation for its utility is Commentarius Historicus et Apo-logeticus de Lutheranismo (Lips. 1688-92), written in refutation of Maimbourg's Histoire du Lutheranisme. See the literature referred to in Herzog, Real-Encyklop. s.v.