11 September 1584 A.D. Obscure Hero of Reformation—Erpenius, Orientalist Scholar
11 September 1584 A.D. Obscure Hero of Reformation—Erpenius, Orientalist Scholar H/t to Andy Underhile whose continuing researches continue to teach and inspire. Underhile, Andy. “Obscure Heroes of the Reformation—Erpenius.” Contra Mundam. 9 Sept 2011. http://andycontramundum.blogspot.com/2011/09/obscure-heroes-of-reformation-erpenius.html . Accessed 17 Jul 2014. Thomas Erpenius was born in Gorcum, in Holland in 1584. He went to school in Leyden and was admitted to the university was he was 18. He took his M.A., when he was 25. He took up the study of theology and languages under Joseph Scalinger. From there he travelled to England, France, Italy and Germany. When he returned to Paris, he became acquainted with Casaubon. Together they travelled to Saumur and Thomas studied Arabic. He then went to Venice and with the help of some learned Jews and Turks, he learned Turkish, Persian and Ethiopian. His skill was such that he was offered ...