![]() ![]() It was the first scientific Arabic grammar to be written in Europe, written somewhat in the style of a Latin grammar, and it was reprinted many times and used as an Arabic language textbook until the 19th century in European universities.Īmong Arabic scholars of earlier centuries there were, of course, also many distinguished grammarians. The first edition of his Grammatica Arabica was published in 1613. Erpenius especially was aware of this lack and his answer was to write his own grammar book which became a standard work and which was reprinted many times. ![]() This group of scholars were enthusiastic about the development of Arabic studies and were keenly aware of the lack of good reference sources and texts for language teaching which were only partly provided for from their own collections of manuscripts and printed books. Notable figures included Joseph Scaliger (1540-1609), a widely travelled scholar of the Classics and Arabic and Professor at Leiden, Franciscus Raphelengius (1539-1597), a scholar, printer and Professor of Hebrew in Leiden and Jacob Golius (1596-1667) an Arabist who was Erpenius’ most distinguished pupil. There was also a flourishing group of Arabic scholars in Leiden of whom Erpenius was only one. The early part of the seventeenth century was a time of important developments in Arabic studies in the Universities in England and in Europe the Chair of Arabic at Cambridge was founded in 1632 and the Oxford Chair in 1636. But apart from his talents as a collector, what is less well-known, is that Erpenius was also a significant author in his own right and the owner of his own printing house for the production of books using Arabic script. On his return to Leiden he became the Professor of Arabic and spent the rest of his life in academic pursuits. During this time he also collected manuscripts and books relating to his studies wherever he could and which eventually grew into a notable library. Early in his career he travelled in Europe, including a visit to Cambridge, adding to his language skills and contacting like-minded scholars including the English Arabist William Bedwell, who also became his teacher. They formed the basis to which were added all the later Arabic manuscript collections which came to the Library in later centuries.Įrpenius was born in 1584 at Gorchum in Holland and entered the University of Leiden where he studied oriental languages. These were acquired after complex and protracted negotiations involving the University Librarian, Abraham Whelock, and George Villiers the 1st Duke of Buckingham, and arrived in 1632. ![]() Thomas van Erpe, or Erpenius, as he is usually known, is best remembered for his collection of Arabic manuscripts which came to the University Library following his death from the plague in 1624. ![]()
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