Benfey, Theodor

Benfey, Theodor

▪ German scholar
born Jan. 28, 1809, Nörten, near Göttingen, Hanover [Germany]
died June 26, 1881, Göttingen, Ger.

      German scholar of Sanskrit (Sanskrit language) and comparative linguistics whose works, particularly his edition of the ancient collection of Indian animal fables known as the Pañca-tantra (Panchatantra), contributed in a major way to Sanskrit studies.

      Concerned initially with research in classical languages, Benfey worked, while settled as a teacher at Frankfurt am Main (1830–32), on translating the comedies of the Roman playwright Terence. In 1834 he became a Privatdozent at the University of Göttingen and began teaching classical-language studies. While increasingly occupied with Sanskrit, he published a lexicon of Greek roots (1839–42) and a study of the relation of Semitic and Egyptian languages (1844). In 1848 he became an assistant professor and published an edition and translation with glossary of the Sāmaveda, or ancient Vedic religious chants. Two works by Benfey on Sanskrit grammar (1852–54 and 1858) were followed by his edition and translation of the Pañca-tantra (1859), which included a commentary that proved to be a valuable contribution to comparative literature. Appointed professor in 1862, he next published a Sanskrit grammar in English (1863–66) and a Sanskrit-English dictionary (1866). Benfey's final significant work was a history of linguistic research in Germany during the 19th century (1869).

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • BENFEY, THEODOR — (1809–1881), German comparative philologist and Sanskritist. Benfey was born in Noerten, near Goettingen, and lived in Goettingen from his childhood. His first works in classical philology were produced hastily and contained many inaccuracies (as …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • BENFEY, THEODOR —    Orientalist, born near Göttingen, of Jewish birth; a great Sanskrit scholar, and professor of Sanskrit and Comparative Philology at his native place; author of Lexicon of Greek Roots, Sanskrit Grammar, &c. (1809 1881) …   The Nuttall Encyclopaedia

  • Theodor Benfey — (* 28. Januar 1809 in Nörten bei Göttingen; † 26. Juni 1881 in Göttingen) war ein bedeutender deutscher Orientalist und Sprachforscher. Benfey, Sohn eines jüdischen Kaufmanns, studierte in Göttingen und in München klassische Philologie, lebte… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Benfey — Benfey, Theodor, hervorragender Orientalist und Sprachforscher, geb. 28. Jan. 1809 in Nörten bei Göttingen als Sohn eines jüdischen Kaufmanns, gest. 26. Juni 1881 in Göttingen, studierte in letzterer Stadt und in München klassische Philologie,… …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Benfey — Benfey, Theodor, geb. 1800 in Nörten, studirte seit 1823 in Göttingen u. München Philologie, lebte 1830–1834 mit Studien beschäftigt in Frankfurt a. M. u. wurde 1834 Professor in Göttingen. Er schr.: Über die Monatsnamen einiger alten Völker,… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Theodor Benfey — (January 28, 1809 June 26, 1881) was a German philologist and the son of a Jewish trader from Nörten, near Göttingen.Although originally destined for the medical profession, Benfey s taste for philology was awakened by a careful instruction in… …   Wikipedia

  • Benfey — ist der Name von Anna Benfey (1830–1903), deutsche Komponistin und Schriftstellerin Bruno Benfey (1891–1962), deutscher Pastor Christopher E. G. Benfey (* 1954), amerikanischer Literaturkritiker Theodor Benfey (1809–1881), deutscher Orientalist… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Benfey — Bẹnfey   [ faɪ], Theodor, Sanskritist, klassischer Philologe, Orientalist und Märchenforscher, * Nörten (heute zu Nörten Hardenberg, Kreis Northeim) 28. 1. 1809, ✝ Göttingen 26. 6. 1881; seit 1848 Professor in Göttingen. Berühmt wurde Benfey… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • Panca Tantra — Buchseite aus dem Panchatantra (persische Handschrift, 15. Jh.) Das Panchatantra (Sanskrit, n., पञ्चतन्त्र, pañcatantra, [pʌɲʧʌtʌntɽʌ], wörtl.: „fünf Gewebe“) ist eine indische Dichtung, die zwischen 200 v. Chr. bis ins 3. Jahrhundert n. Chr. bei …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Pancatantra — Buchseite aus dem Panchatantra (persische Handschrift, 15. Jh.) Das Panchatantra (Sanskrit, n., पञ्चतन्त्र, pañcatantra, [pʌɲʧʌtʌntɽʌ], wörtl.: „fünf Gewebe“) ist eine indische Dichtung, die zwischen 200 v. Chr. bis ins 3. Jahrhundert n. Chr. bei …   Deutsch Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”