Kortholt, Christian

, a learned professor of divinity at Kiel, was born Jan. 15, 1633, at Burg, in the isle of Femeren, near the Baltic sea, in the country of Holstein. He was sent first to school at Burg, whence in his sixteenth year he removed to Sleswick, where he applied to his books two years more; and afterwards studied in the college of Stetin, and gave public proofs of his progress by some theses. Going to Rostoch in 1652, he assiduously frequented the lectures of the professors, and took the degree of doctor in philosophy, in 1656. He then pursued his studies in the university of Jena, and gained great reputation by the academical acts, and by private lectures read on philosophy, the Eastern tongues, and divinity. He left Jena in 1660, and after visiting the universities of Leipsic and Wittemberg, returned to Rostoch, where he was made Greek professor in 1662; and took a doctor of divinity’s degree the same year. He married in 1664, and next year was invited to be second professor of divinity in the university just founded at Kiel. He was so zealous for the prosperity of that new university, and so grateful for the kindness of the duke of Holstein, his master, that he refused all the employments, though very beneficial and honourable, which were offered him in several places. This prince bestowed upon him, in 1680, the professorship of ecclesiastical antiquities; and declared him vice-chancellor of 'the university for life, 1689; and he discharged the duty of those offices with great ability, application, and prudence. His death, which happened March 31, 1694, was a great loss to the university of Kiel, and to the republic of letters. His works in Latin and German are numerous, and esteemed by the learned; the principal are, 1. “Tractatus de persecutionibus Ecclesise primitive, veterumque Martyrum cruciatibus,” the best edition of which is, Keil, 1689, 4to. 2. “Tractatus de Calumniis Pagariorum in veteres Christianos,” Keil, 1698, 4to. 3. “Tractatus de Religione Ethnica, Mahummedana et Judaica,” 1665, 4to. 4. “De Origine et Natura Christianismi ex mente Gentilium,” 1672, *4to. 5. “De tribus Impostoribus magnis Liber, Edwardo Herbert, Thomse Hobbes, et Benedicto Spinosa oppositis,” Hamburg, 1701, 4to. 6. “De rationis cum revelatione in Theologia concursu,” 1692, 4to “Oratio de Scholarum et Academiarum ortu et progressu, presertim in Germania,” 1666, folio, &c. ¹