, in Latin Menckenius, a learned German writer, was born of a good
, in Latin Menckenius, a learned
German writer, was born of a good family at Oldenburg,
in Westphalia, in 1644. He cultivated his first studies in
his native place; and at seventeen went to Bremen, where
he applied himself to philosophy. He stayed there one
year, and removed to Leipsic, where he was admitted master of arts in 1664; and afterwards visited the other universities, Jena, Wittemberg, Groningen, Franeker, Utrecht,
Leyden, and Kiel. Upon his return to Leipsic, he applied himself for some time to divinity and civil law. In
1668 he was chosen professor of morality in that university;
and, in 1671, took the degree of licentiate in divinity.
He discharged the duties of his professorship with great
reputation till his death, which happened in 1707. He was
five times rector of the university of Leipsic, and seven
times dean of the faculty of philosophy. He published
several works; many of his own, and some of other people.
The edition of sir John Marsham’s “Canon Chronicus,
”
at Leipsic, in 4to, and a new edition of “Camden’s Annals of queen Elizabeth,
” were procured by him. But his
most considerable work, and what alone is sufficient to
perpetuate his name, is the “Acta eruditorum
” of Leipsic,
of which he was the first author, and in which he was
engaged till his death. When he had formed that design,
he began a correspondence with the learned men of all
nations, in order to inform himself of what passed in the
republic of letters. For the same purpose he took a journey to Holland, and thence to England. He afterwards
formed a society of several persons of eminent abilities, to
assist him in the work, and took all proper measures to
render it lasting. The elector of Saxony contributed, by
his generosity, to the success of the design. The first
volume was published at Leipsic, in 1682, in 4to. Our
author continued to publish, with the assistance of colleagues, every year a volume while he lived, with supplements from time to time, and an index once in ten years.
His share ends with the thirtieth volume.