New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-02


Professor Theodor Mommsen the eminent Ger
man historian. born at Garding. Scheswig
November 80, 1917. He was the Of Evangei-
cal pastor, and educated at the University of
kiel, where he graduated in 1913. The next
four years he spent examining Roman inscriptions
in France and Italy. and on his return to Germany
wrote many articles for the "Schlesw ig- Holsten
Journal" Of which he was editor. and became
professor OF law at Leipsc. Taking part In the
revolution OF 1s4s, he dismissed from the pro-
fessorship, but in 1852 he made ttular pro-
lessor Of law at Zurich. at Breslau In 1854, and
OF ancient history at Berlin in 1858 His work
there was devoted to the study Of the dialects Of
Southern Italy, the inscriptions Roman stones
the Etruscan alphabets, and Switzerland under
Roman domination. he had already laid the
foundation for his great work on Roman coins, and
this was followed by his Roman history.
In 1875 he returned to the University Of Lepsc as
professor OF Jurisprudence. He tried at Berlin
in 1889 the charge OF slandering Prince Bis
marck but acquitted, the verdict being
affirmed by the Imperial High Court Of Appeals.
The publication of Mommsens greatest work. his
Roman History" was begun in 1854; It had reached
three volumes in 1856; the fifth appeared in 1885,
and the fourth has not yet been issued His treat
ment OF the political and social development Of
Rome extends from the beginning Of Roman his
tory to the imperial epoch; 1t is based the most
minute knowledge of all the literary and monu-
mental remains bearing on this time, and the
keenest critical estimate II is written in an ami
and comparisons; generally in a subjective vein
hat often rouses opposition but is always interest
ng and spiritual Eight editions of il have ap-
cared. unfinished though it is. and it has been
translated into English. French. Italian. Russian
Polish and Spanish; and Germans proud to
consider It as much part OF their national htera-
Ranke If his Roman History" is his most popu-
lar work, his most erudte is his Roman Juris-
lesser studies and essays that Mommsen has writ
ten. on subjects, connected With Roman history
rismatics and topography He is an especially
distinguished authority on the inscriptions that
have survived from ancient days, and was the
editor Of the great Corpus InscriDtionum Latina
rum" containing all extant Latin inscriptions. pub
lished by the Prussian Academy Of Science from
1863 to 1898.
In 1878 the King Of Italy conferred on him the
Grand Cross of the Order Of S. Maurice and
Lazarus. In 1898 he resigned the post OF perpetual
secretary of the Berlin Academy. His principal
works were translated into English. In 1880 when
Professor Mommser's library was burned his Eng
classical and historical works In English. On the
occasion OF his seventeen birthday congratula-
tory address, signed by sixty-two Oxford dons was
doctorate was celebrated by German scholars in
1898. On the occasion of his eightieth birthday he
the recipient OF many concentrations and
ing bestowed on him. He continued his literary
work in spite of his advanced years and celebrated
Roman criminal law, and then resumed work on
his Roman History the fourth volume Of which
was not to appear until after his death The Order
OF the Red Eagle was bestowed on him by the
Berlin Academy of Sciences in 1900. The Nobel
English historian E A Freeman characterized
Professor AIommsen the greatest scholar of our
times" He was married in 1854 TO the eldest daugh-
ter OF his friend Karl Reimer. and = the father
of sixteen children
Professor Mornrnsen was alike distine shed as a
historian turtst. Cumsrnatist and q inlIoloSlst
writing standard works all these varied subjects
His brother Tycho. two years younger, is regarded
as an authority on Greek and Roman chronology.