, one of the eminent publicists of Germany, and one of the most illustrious
, one of the eminent publicists of Germany, and one of the most illustrious ornaments of the German schools, was born at Embden Nov. 3,
1606, and was educated at Leyden, where he made himself
acquainted with the whole circle of sciences, but chiefly
applied to theology and medicine; and during his residence here, is said to have been supported by Matthias
Overbek, a Dutch merchant, and by G. Calixtus, one of
the professors. His eminent attainments soon procured
him distinction; and he was appointed professor, first of
natural philosophy, and afterwards of medicine, in the university of Brunswick. Turning his attention to the study
of history and policy, he became so famous in these branches
of knowledge, as to attract the attention of princes. Christina, queen of Sweden, who professed to be a general patroness of learned men, invited Conringius to her court,
and upon his arrival received him with the highest marks of
respect. The offer of a liberal appointment could not,
however, induce him to relinquish the academic life, and
after a short time he returned to Juliers. But his uncommon talents for deciding intricate questions on policy were
not long suffered to lie dormant. The elector Palatine,
the elector of Mentz, the duke of Brunswick, the emperor
of Germany, and Louis XIV. of France, all consulted and
conferred upon him honours and rewards. And, if universal learning, sound judgment, and indefatigable application, can entitle a man to respect, Conringius merited all
the distinction he obtained. The great extent of his abilities and learning appears from the number and variety
of his literary productions. His polemic writings prove him
to have been deeply read in theology. His medical knowledge appears from his “Introduction to the medical art,
”
and his “Comparison of the medical practice of the ancient
Egyptians, and the modern Paracelsians.
” The numerous
treatises which he has left on the Germanic institution, and
other subjects of policy and law, evince the depth and accuracy of his juridical learning. His book, “De hermerica Medicina,
” and his “Antiquitates academicae,
” discover a correct acquaintance with the history of philosophy.
It is to be regretted, that this great man was never able
wholly to disengage himself from the prepossession in favour of the Aristotelian philosophy, which he imbibed in
his youth. Although he had the good sense to correct the
more barren parts of his philosophy, and was not ignorant
that his system was in some particulars defective, he still
looked up to the Stagyrite as the best guide in the pursuit
of truth. It was owing to his partiality for ancient
philosophy, particularly for that of Aristotle, that Conringius
was a violent opponent of the Cartesian system. He died
Dec. 12, 1681. His works were published entire in six
volumes folio, Brunswick, 1730, which renders it unnecessary to specify his separate publications. Bibliographers place
a considerable value on his “Bibliotheca Augusta,
” Helmstadt, De antiquitatibus
academicis dissertationes septem,
” the best edition of which
is that of Gottingen, Observationes Physico-mediciK.
” It is there said, on the authority of his son-in-law,
that Conringius, when labouring under an ague, was cured,
without the help of medicines, merely by the joy he felt
from a conversation with the learned Meibomius.