Christian Lassen

January 22, 1800 (age 76)

Bergen, Norway

In the latter university Lassen acquired a sound knowledge of Sanskrit. During this period he published, jointly with E. Burnouf, his first work, Essai sur le Pdli (Paris, 1826). In spite of a tempting offer from Copenhagen, in 1841, Lassen remained faithful to the university of his adoption to the end of his life. As early as 1864 he was relieved of the duty of lecturing. In 1829-1831 he brought out, in conjunction with August W. von Schlegel, a critical annotated edition of the Hiiopadesa. The appearance of this edition marks the starting-point of the critical study of Sanskrit literature. In 1832 he brought out the text of the first act of Bhavabhuti's drama, Malatimddhava, and a complete edition, with a Latin translation, of the Sankhya-karika. In 1837 followed his edition and translation of Jayadeva's charming lyrical drama, Gitagovinda and his Institutiones linguae Pracriticae. His A nthologia Sanscritica, which came out the following year (new ed. by Johann Gildemeister, 1868), contained several hitherto unpublished texts, and did much to stimulate the study of Sanskrit in German universities. In 1846 Lassen brought out an improved edition of Schlegel's text and translation of the " Bhagavadglta. " He also was the first scholar in Europe who took up, with signal success, the decipherment of the newly-discovered Bactrian coins, which furnished him the materials for Zur Geschichte der griechischen und indo-skythischen Konige in Bakterien, Kabul, und Indien (1838).

Christian Lassen

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Orientalist

Background

Christian Lassen was born at Bergen in Norway on October 22, 1800.

Education

Having received his earliest university education at Christiania, he went to Germany, and continued his studies at Heidelberg and Bonn.

On his return to Bonn he studied Arabic, and took the degree of Ph. D. , his dissertation discussing the Arabic notices of the geography of the Punjab (Commentatio geographica atque historica de Pentapotamia Indica, Bonn, 1827).

Career

In the latter university Lassen acquired a sound knowledge of Sanskrit.

During this period he published, jointly with E. Burnouf, his first work, Essai sur le Pdli (Paris, 1826).

In spite of a tempting offer from Copenhagen, in 1841, Lassen remained faithful to the university of his adoption to the end of his life.

As early as 1864 he was relieved of the duty of lecturing. In 1829-1831 he brought out, in conjunction with August W. von Schlegel, a critical annotated edition of the Hiiopadesa.

The appearance of this edition marks the starting-point of the critical study of Sanskrit literature.

In 1832 he brought out the text of the first act of Bhavabhuti's drama, Malatimddhava, and a complete edition, with a Latin translation, of the Sankhya-karika.

In 1837 followed his edition and translation of Jayadeva's charming lyrical drama, Gitagovinda and his Institutiones linguae Pracriticae.

His A nthologia Sanscritica, which came out the following year (new ed.

by Johann Gildemeister, 1868), contained several hitherto unpublished texts, and did much to stimulate the study of Sanskrit in German universities.

In 1846 Lassen brought out an improved edition of Schlegel's text and translation of the " Bhagavadglta. "

He also was the first scholar in Europe who took up, with signal success, the decipherment of the newly-discovered Bactrian coins, which furnished him the materials for Zur Geschichte der griechischen und indo-skythischen Konige in Bakterien, Kabul, und Indien (1838).

Achievements

In 1829-1831 he brought out, in conjunction with August Wilhelm von Schlegel, a critical annotated edition of the Hitopadeśa.

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