, an eminent linguist and philologer, was born at Utrecht of an ancient
, an eminent linguist and philologer, was born at Utrecht of an ancient and reputable
family in 1542; and educated in the belles lettres under
the inspection of his parents, till he was 12 years of age.
He was then sent to Cornelius Valerius at Lou vain, with
whom he continued four years; and gave surprising proofs
of his progress in Greek and Latin literature, by writing
letters in those languages, by translations, and by drawing
up some dramatic pieces. Having an uncommon taste for
the Greek, he removed in 1559 from Lou vain to Paris, for
the sake of learning that language more perfectly from
John Auratus, under whom he studied till 1562, and then
was obliged to leave France on account of the civil wars.
He travelled next into Germany and Italy, and visited the
several universities of those countries; Bononia particularly, where he became known to the famous Carolus
Sigonius, to whom he afterwards dedicated his eight books
“Novarum Lectionum.
” Venice he had a great desire to
see, not only for the beauty and magnificence of the place,
but for the opportunity he should have of purchasing manuscripts; which the Greeks brought in great abundance
from their own country, and there exposed to sale: and
from Venice he purposed to go to Rome. But, not being
able to bear the heat of those regions, he dropped the
pursuit of his journey, and returned through Germany to
l^ouvain, where in about eight years’ time excessive study
brought on a lingering consumption, of which he died in
1*75, when he was only in his 33d year. Thuanus says,
that he deserved to be reckoned among the most learned
men of his age; and that he would certainly have done
great things, if he had not died so very immaturely. He
understood six languages, besides that of his native country, viz. the Latin, Greek, Hebrew, French, Italian, and
German.