(Tobias), one of the greatest astronomers and mechanics this century has produced, was born at Maspach, in the duchy of Wurtemberg 1723. He taught himself mathematics, and at the age of fourteen designed machines and instruments with the greatest dexterity and judgment. These pursuits did not hinder him from cultivating the belles lettres. He acquired the Latin tongue, and wrote it with elegance. In 1750, the university of Gottingen chose him for their mathematical professor; and every year of his short life was thenceforward marked with some considerable discoveries in geometry and astronomy. He published several works in this way, which are all reckoned excellent; and some are inserted in the second volume of the Memoirs of the university of Gottingen." His labours seem to have exhausted him; for he died worn out in 1762.