Brunck

Brunck, RICHARD FRANÇOIS PHILIPPE, classical scholar, was born at Strasburg, December 30, 1729. He was educated under the Jesuits in Paris, but abandoned his studies, and for some time was engaged as a military commissary during the Seven Years' War. A professor in Giessen, with whom Brunck happened to lodge while the army was in winter-quarters, revived in him the love of classical studies. Returning to Strasburg, he devoted all his spare time to Greek, and soon distinguished himself as an able but daring critic and emendator. His belief that all inaccuracies in ancient Greek writings were introduced by copyists often led him astray; but few critics since the revival of learning have done more for the progress of Greek literature. His first work, Analecta Veterum Poëtarum Græcorum (1772-76), was followed by editions of Anacreon (1778), Apollonius Rhodius (1780), Aristophanes (1781-83), Poëte Gnomici (1784), Virgil (1785), and Sophocles (1786). The outbreak of the French Revolution interrupted Brunck's studies. During the Terror he was imprisoned, but was liberated after the downfall of Robespierre. His means had been so much reduced, that he was compelled to sell his valuable library. He died June 12, 1803.