Friedrich Gottfried Abel
Encyclopedia
Friedrich Gottfried Abel (8 July 1714 – 23 November 1794) was a German physician
, the son of historian Caspar Abel
. He was assessor of the college of physicians, member of the literary society at Halberstadt
, and master of St. John's school in that city.
After a classical education at Halberstadt and Wolfenbüttel
, Abel entered himself at the former place as a student of theology
, in 1731, under Johann Lorenz von Mosheim
; a year later, he moved to Halle
, where he attended the lectures of Christian Wolff
and Alexander Gottlieb Baumgarten
, and often preached himself with much applause.
Though he had a great chance of succeeding to the rectorship of St. John's school in his native place, Abel in a few years gave up theological pursuits altogether, applied to medicine at Halle, and in 1744 was admitted to the degree of doctor at Königsberg
in Prussia
. On his return to Halberstadt, he practised as a physician for over half a century before his death in 1794.
In the early part of his life, Abel had made a poetical translation of the Satires of Juvenal into German, which, by the advice of his friend Gleim, he retouched a few years before his death, and published in 1788. He intended to correct and publish Ovid
's Remedia Amoris
, which he had also translated in his youth, and to attempt Persius, but age and other occupations prevented him from accomplishing this.
Abel married in 1744, and left three daughters and two sons, one of whom, John Abel, physician at Düsseldorf
, has distinguished himself as a writer.
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
, the son of historian Caspar Abel
Caspar Abel
Caspar Abel was a German theologian, historian and poet.Abel was born in Hindenburg in der Altmark , the son of a preacher, and gained his theological education in Braunschweig and Helmstedt. In 1696 he became rector in Osterburg, in 1698 at the Johannisschule in Halberstadt...
. He was assessor of the college of physicians, member of the literary society at Halberstadt
Halberstadt
Halberstadt is a town in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt and the capital of the district of Harz. It is located on the German Half-Timbered House Road and the Magdeburg–Thale railway....
, and master of St. John's school in that city.
After a classical education at Halberstadt and Wolfenbüttel
Wolfenbüttel
Wolfenbüttel is a town in Lower Saxony, Germany, located on the Oker river about 13 kilometres south of Brunswick. It is the seat of the District of Wolfenbüttel and of the bishop of the Protestant Lutheran State Church of Brunswick...
, Abel entered himself at the former place as a student of theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
, in 1731, under Johann Lorenz von Mosheim
Johann Lorenz von Mosheim
Johann Lorenz von Mosheim or Johann Lorenz Mosheim , German Lutheran church historian, was born at Lübeck on 9 October 1693 or 1694.- Biography :...
; a year later, he moved to Halle
Halle, Saxony-Anhalt
Halle is the largest city in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt. It is also called Halle an der Saale in order to distinguish it from the town of Halle in North Rhine-Westphalia...
, where he attended the lectures of Christian Wolff
Christian Wolff (philosopher)
Christian Wolff was a German philosopher.He was the most eminent German philosopher between Leibniz and Kant...
and Alexander Gottlieb Baumgarten
Alexander Gottlieb Baumgarten
Alexander Gottlieb Baumgarten was a German philosopher.-Biography:Baumgarten was born in Berlin as the fifth of seven sons of the pietist pastor of the garrison, Jacob Baumgarten and his wife Rosina Elisabeth....
, and often preached himself with much applause.
Though he had a great chance of succeeding to the rectorship of St. John's school in his native place, Abel in a few years gave up theological pursuits altogether, applied to medicine at Halle, and in 1744 was admitted to the degree of doctor at Königsberg
Königsberg
Königsberg was the capital of East Prussia from the Late Middle Ages until 1945 as well as the northernmost and easternmost German city with 286,666 inhabitants . Due to the multicultural society in and around the city, there are several local names for it...
in Prussia
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
. On his return to Halberstadt, he practised as a physician for over half a century before his death in 1794.
In the early part of his life, Abel had made a poetical translation of the Satires of Juvenal into German, which, by the advice of his friend Gleim, he retouched a few years before his death, and published in 1788. He intended to correct and publish Ovid
Ovid
Publius Ovidius Naso , known as Ovid in the English-speaking world, was a Roman poet who is best known as the author of the three major collections of erotic poetry: Heroides, Amores, and Ars Amatoria...
's Remedia Amoris
Remedia Amoris
Remedia Amoris is a 814 line poem in Latin by the Roman poet Ovid.In this poem, Ovid offers advices and strategies to avoid being hurt by love feelings, or to fall out of love, with a stoic overtone...
, which he had also translated in his youth, and to attempt Persius, but age and other occupations prevented him from accomplishing this.
Abel married in 1744, and left three daughters and two sons, one of whom, John Abel, physician at Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and centre of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region.Düsseldorf is an important international business and financial centre and renowned for its fashion and trade fairs. Located centrally within the European Megalopolis, the...
, has distinguished himself as a writer.