FRIER, an eminent German civilian, born at Augsburg in 1565. He studied at Bourges, under the learned Cajus; and acquired great skill in polite literature, and in the laws. At his return to Germany, he became counsellor to the elector Palatine, and professor of law at Heidelberg; and was afterwards sent by the elector Frederic IV. as his minister, into Poland, to Mentz, and several other courts. He died at Heidelberg in 1614. He wrote many works which are esteemed; the principal of which are, 1. De re monetaria veterum Romanorum, et hodierni apud Germanos imperii. 2. Rerum Bohemicarum scriptores. 3. Corpus historiarum Franciae, &c.