Background

Bekker was born in Metslawier (Dongeradeel) as the son of a German pastor from Bielefeld.

Education

Balthasar Bekker was educated at Groningen, under Jacob Alting, and at Franeker.

Career

Balthasar Bekker's best known work is De Betoverde Weereld (1691), or The World Bewitched (1695). Becoming the rector of the local Latin school, he was appointed to his satisfaction in 1657 as a pastor in Oosterlittens (Littenseradiel), and started as one of the first to preach on Sunday afternoon. From 1679 he worked in Amsterdam, after being driven from Friesland.

In 1683 Balthasar Bekker traveled to England and France. In two months time Bekker visited London, Cambridge, Oxford, Paris and Leuven, with a great interest in the art of fortification. In July 1698 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of London.

Achievements

• Balthasar Bekker's book "The World Bewitched" is considered interesting as an early study in comparative religion.

Works

• book

  • Le Monde Enchante, Dans Lequel Ou Examen Doctrine Des Communs Sentimens Touchant Les Esprits (1694) (French Edition)

Membership

Royal Society.

Connections

opponent:

Eric Walten

References

• Balthasar Bekker In Amsterdam: Een Portret Uit De Zeventiende Eeuw (1851) (Dutch Edition)