, a learned Dane, was born Aug. 30, 1671, at Kraagerop, a country
, a learned Dane, was born
Aug. 30, 1671, at Kraagerop, a country seat belonging to
his lather, whose heir he became in 1684. Great care was
taken of his education by his guardians, and after studying,
some time at the university of Copenhagen, it was recommended to him to visit other universities, where eminent
professors were to be found. He accordingly set out in
1690, and spt-nt ten years in extending hi* knowledge of
the belles lettres, civil law, &c. and had for his masters
Morliof, Gr&vius, Gronovius, &c. While at Leyden in
169.'5, he published “Delicise quorundam poetarnm Danorum,
” 2 vols. 12mo. He passed a considerable time in
England, particularly at Oxford, for the s;>ke of the ms
treasures in the Bodleian library, and employed himself
much in reading and copying Greek Mss. He afterwards
continued the same researches among the libraries of Paris, where he resided for four years, and applied with ardour to the study of the oriental languages. Among the
Mss. which he copied in Paris, were the letters of the celebrated sophist Libanius, a good number of which he had
also found in England, and communicated these for Wolf’s
edition of that author, published at Amsterdam in 1739.
Both in France and Italy, which he next visited, he made
Jprge purchases of valuable Mss. On his return home in
1700, the king made him counsellor of justice, and keeper
of the private archives. In 1710 he was made counsellor
of state, and, some years after, justiciary of the supreme
tribunal. In 1721 he was appointed first secretary of the
Danish chancery, but lost this office in 1725 by the
machinations of some enemies who were jealous of his high
favour at court. Being now obliged to leave Copenhagen,
he sold his fine library, reserving only a few useful books
which might divert his time during his retirement. This
library contained about 5000 printed books, and 1068 manuscripts, as appears by the sale catalogue published at
Copenhagen in 1726. His disgrace, however, did not last
long. Having effectually cleared up his character, the
king, Frederick IV. made him, in 1727, baillie of Anderskow, which post he retained until 1730, He then retired
to his estate at Kraagerop, and employed his time in study.
He was about to put the finishing hand to his “Lexicon
Jinguae Danicae,
” when he died suddenly April 26, 1745.
He was editor of the works of Andrew Bordingius, a much
esteemed Danish poet, which were published in 1735, 4to,
and had the principal hand in the “Enchiridion studiosi,
Arabice conscriptum a Borhaneddino Alzernouchi, &c.
”
published by Adrian Reland at Utrecht in