Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 33:129 (Jan 1876)
Article: Editorial Correspondence
Author: Archibald Duff, Jr.

BSac 33:129 (Jan 1876) p. 194

Editorial Correspondence

Professor Archibald Duff, Jr.

The Late Professor Ewald

The remains of Ewald, the noted Semitic and biblical scholar, were carried to the grave, in Göttingen, on Ascension-day last, May 6th, followed by a long procession of citizens, apparently chiefly from the tradesman classes, with many of the professors, scarcely any students, and little or no display, academical or otherwise.

We copy the following, for the sake of its dates, from the Göttingen Zeitung of May 5th, 1875:”Professor Georg Heinrich August Ewald died (here) yesterday, May 4th, at six p.m. He was born in Göttingen, in 1803 (the son of a poor linen-weaver); received his preparatory training at the schools and gymnasium of his native town, and at its university devoted himself with the greatest eagerness and with unwearying diligence to the study of theology, as also more specially to that of Oriental languages. In 1823, when not twenty years of age, he became teacher in the Wolfenbüttel Gymnasium. At Easter, 1824, he returned to Göttingen, at the instance of his teachers there, whose hearty interest the pushing young man had excited. He now became more closely connected with the university, as Repetent (or Tutor) on the Theological Faculty. In 1827, he became Professor Extraordinary, and in 1831 Ordinary, in the Philosophical Faculty. He soon became one of the most influential and noted teachers here, widely known through his literary activity, and especially prominent in the philological field, fulfilling his duty as teacher faithfully, ever ready to serve the academical youth.

In 1837, in conjunction with Dahlmann, the two Grimms, Albrecht, Gervinus, and Weber, he delivered a Protest to the University Curatorium against the Repeal of the Hanoverian Fundamental State Law, and was obliged to resign his professorship. In 1838, he was called to Tübingen as Professor Ordinary of Theology (where he worked beside Baur). The events of 1848 removed the hinderances which had till then shut him out from position in Göttingen. At the motion of the Royal Curatorium, King Ernst August, in the autumn of 1848, called Professor Ewald back to Göttingen, as Professor Ordinary.”

His professorship was that filled in the end of last century by the great J. D. Michaelis, and now occupied by the eminent linguist, Dr. P. de

BSac 33:129 (Jan 1876) p. 195

Lagarde, known toy his numerous and very valuable editions of Oriental texts, relating chiefly to the scriptures and to theology more generally; also long resident in England.

In the political changes of 1866, and their results, Professor Ewald remained a strong Guelf, becoming more and more bitt...