BUDDÉUS, JOHN FRANCIS, a celebrated Lutheran divine, and one of the most learned men Germany has produced, was born in 1667, at Anclam, a town of Pomerania, where his father was minister. He studied with great distinction at Greifswalde and at Wittenberg; and having attained to eminence in languages, theology, and history, was appointed Greek and Latin professor at Colberg; afterwards professor of ethical science and politics in the university of Halle; and at length, in 1705, professor of divinity at Jena, where, after having acquired a very great reputation, he died in 1729.
His principal works are,—A large historical German Dictionary, Leipzig, 1709, folio; Historia Ecclesiastica Veteris Testamenti, Halle, 1709, 4 vols. 4to; Elementa Philosophiæ Practicæ, instrumentalis et theoreticæ, 3 vols. 8vo, which has passed through a great number of editions; Selecta Juris Naturæ et Gentium, Halle, 1704, 8vo; Miscellanea Sacra, Jena, 1727, 3 vols. 4to; Imago Historico-Theologica ad Theologiam Universam, singulæque ejus partes, 2 vols. 4to, a work much valued by the Lutherans; and a Treatise on Atheism and Superstition.