HOFFMANN, JOHN JAMES, a celebrated philologist, was born at Basel in 1635. His father, who was professor of law in the academy of that city, inspired him betimes with a taste for application, and directed his early studies. Young Hoffmann went through his courses of philosophy and theology with distinction, and was ordained to the holy ministry. But as the delicacy of his health did not admit of his pursuing that career, he applied himself to teaching; and after having, for several years, given private instructions, he was, in 1667, appointed to the chair of Greek in the academy, whence he was, in 1683, translated to that of history, the duties of which he discharged with indefatigable zeal until his death, which occurred in 1706, without his having ever quitted his native country. The best known of all his works is the Lexicon Universale, Historico-Geographico-Chronologico-Poetico Philologicum, Basel, 1677, in two volumes folio, with a Supplement, also in two volumes, 1683. The work at first met with indifferent success. This dictionary is constructed upon a very extensive plan; but all the parts leave much to be desired. The articles on ancient geography are considered as the best; those on history are superficial and inaccurate. The title of the book announces various synonyms of geographical names derived from twenty different languages; but the execution does not come up to the announcement. The author omits no opportunity to declaim against the Catholic religion and against France. The other works of Hoffmann are, 1. Numerous Theses on subjects of little or no interest; 2. A Collection of Poems, Poemata, Basel, 1684, in 12mo; 3. Epitome metrica Historiæ Universalis civilis et sacræ ab orbe condito, ibid. 1686, in 12mo; 4. Historia Paparum, 1687, in two vols. 12mo; 5. Two Memoirs on the Miscellanea Berolinensia. (A.)