(John James), a most profound scholar and sagacious critic, was born in 1706 at a small town of the duchy of Anhalt. After struggling with some difficulties in his school education, in which, however, he, by perseverance, obtained considerable advantages, he went, in 1733, to Leipzig; where he continued, for the sake of study, five years. Here he accomplished himself in Arabic, and translated and published a book from that language. In order to prosecute his study of Arabic with greater effect, he travelled on foot, and with many difficulties, to Leyden. Here he was employed in arranging the Arabic manuscripts, for which, however, he received a very scanty compensation; and here also he translated from the German and French, into Latin, various essays sent him by Dorville, whom he had visited in his journey, and who afterwards inserted these papers in the *Miscellanea Critica*. Dorville was so well pleased with his skill and diligence, that he employed him in more important concerns. At his desire, Reiske translated the whole of the Chariton from the Greek, and the Geography of Abulfeda from the Arabic, into Latin. At Leyden he continued for the space of eight years; where a storm of jealousy and calumny, excited against him by the younger Burman, finally induced him to change his residence. This was principally owing to the freedom he used with respect to the edition of Petronius, edited by the younger Burman at Leyden; however, before he quitted it, he took the degree of doctor of physic, which was given him in a manner which did him the highest honour. He then visited different parts of Germany, till he at length settled at Leipzig a second time. Here, for twelve years, notwithstanding he was made professor of Arabic, he experienced all the inconveniences of poverty, and was obliged to undergo a great deal of drudgery for book-sellers, and the editors of periodical publications, to procure a subsistence; at this period, in particular, the *Acta Eruditorum* were greatly indebted to him. Amidst all these hardships, however, he found opportunity to write, and to publish, his *Animadversiones in Autorum Graecorum*, in five volumes; a work of extraordinary learning and merit. In 1758, by the death of Haltiaulus, he obtained a situation at once honourable and lucrative, which placed him above want, and enabled him to follow his favourite pursuits at ease. He was made rector of the academy at Leipzig, in which office he continued till the time of his death. In 1764, he married Ernestina Christina Muller, a woman of wonderful attainments, whose knowledge was hardly inferior to his own, and particularly in Greek literature. She assisted him in all his literary labours, and especially in his immortal work of the "Edition of the Greek Orators." Thus, in the manner most grateful to himself, Reiske consumed the remainder of his life, which continued till 1774, when he died possessed of the highest reputation. The number of works which he superintended and published is very great; but it will be sufficient to name those which are most sought after and esteemed. These are, the "Remarks upon Greek Authors" before mentioned. An "Edition of the Greek Orators," in 12 vols. 8vo, which was finished by his widow. "Dionysius Halicarnassensis," in 7 vols. "Plutarch's Works," in 9 vols. "Theocritus, &c. &c."

This John James Reiske must not be confounded with John Reiske, rector of the college of Wolfenbüttel, who was also a learned man, and published various works.