Johann Friedrich Dübner
Encyclopedia
Johann Friedrich Dübner German classical scholar (naturalized a Frenchman), was born in Horselgau
, near Gotha
.
After studying at the University of Göttingen he returned to Gotha, where from 1827 to 1832 he held a post (inspector coenobii) in connection with the gymnasium
. During this period he made his name known by editions of Justin
and Persius
(after Casaubon
). In 1832 he was invited by the brothers Didot
to Paris
, to cooperate in a new edition of Estienne's Greek Thesaurus. He also contributed largely to the Bibliotheca Graeca published by the same firm, a series of Greek classics with Latin translation, critical notes and valuable indexes.
One of Dübner's most important works was an edition of Julius Caesar
undertaken by command of Napoleon III, which obtained him the cross of the Legion of Honour
. His editions are considered to be models of literary and philological criticism, and did much to raise the standard of classical scholarship in France
. He violently attacked Burnouf
's method of teaching Greek
, but without result. Dübner may have gone too far in his zeal for reform, and his opinions may have been too harshly expressed. Dübner died in Montreuil
, near Paris.
Hörselgau
Hörselgau is a municipality in the district of Gotha, in Thuringia, Germany....
, near Gotha
Gotha (town)
Gotha is a town in Thuringia, within the central core of Germany. It is the capital of the district of Gotha.- History :The town has existed at least since the 8th century, when it was mentioned in a document signed by Charlemagne as Villa Gotaha . Its importance derives from having been chosen in...
.
After studying at the University of Göttingen he returned to Gotha, where from 1827 to 1832 he held a post (inspector coenobii) in connection with the gymnasium
Gymnasium (school)
A gymnasium is a type of school providing secondary education in some parts of Europe, comparable to English grammar schools or sixth form colleges and U.S. college preparatory high schools. The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual...
. During this period he made his name known by editions of Justin
Junianus Justinus
Justin was a Latin historian who lived under the Roman Empire. His name is mentioned only in the title of his own history, and there it is in the genitive, which would be M. Juniani Justini no matter which nomen he bore.Of his personal history nothing is known...
and Persius
Aulus Persius Flaccus
Persius, in full Aulus Persius Flaccus , was a Roman poet and satirist of Etruscan origin. In his works, poems and satires, he shows a stoic wisdom and a strong criticism for the abuses of his contemporaries...
(after Casaubon
Isaac Casaubon
Isaac Casaubon was a classical scholar and philologist, first in France and then later in England, regarded by many of his time as the most learned in Europe.-Early life:...
). In 1832 he was invited by the brothers Didot
Didot
Didot is the name of a family of French printers, punch-cutters and publishers. Through its achievements and advancements in printing, publishing and typography, the family has lent its name to typographic measurements developed by François-Ambroise Didot and the Didot typeface developed by Firmin...
to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, to cooperate in a new edition of Estienne's Greek Thesaurus. He also contributed largely to the Bibliotheca Graeca published by the same firm, a series of Greek classics with Latin translation, critical notes and valuable indexes.
One of Dübner's most important works was an edition of Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar
Gaius Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman and a distinguished writer of Latin prose. He played a critical role in the gradual transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire....
undertaken by command of Napoleon III, which obtained him the cross of the Legion of Honour
Légion d'honneur
The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
. His editions are considered to be models of literary and philological criticism, and did much to raise the standard of classical scholarship in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. He violently attacked Burnouf
Eugène Burnouf
Eugène Burnouf was an eminent French scholar and orientalist who made significant contributions to the deciphering of Old Persian cuneiform....
's method of teaching Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
, but without result. Dübner may have gone too far in his zeal for reform, and his opinions may have been too harshly expressed. Dübner died in Montreuil
Montreuil, Seine-Saint-Denis
Montreuil is a commune in the eastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris. It is the third most populous suburb of Paris...
, near Paris.