Diefenbach, Lorenz
A celebrated German philologist, born at Ostheim, in the Grand Duchy of Hesse, July 29th,
1806. He studied theology and philology at Giessen, and after travelling extensively, was
settled as pastor and librarian at SolmeLaubach, and in 1848 at Frankfort-on-the-Main. Here,
from 1865 until 1876, he was the second librarian to the city. A writer and scholar of much
versatility, he produced a large number of works in general literature, including verse and
prose fiction, besides the famous books on linguistic topics whereby he will be longest
remembered. These are
Celtica, 3 vols.
(1840);
Vergleichendes Wörterbuch der Gothischen Sprache, 2 vols.
(1846-51);
Glossarium Latino-Germanicum Mediae et Infimae
Aetatis (1857), being a supplement to the great work of Ducange (q. v.); and
Origines Europae, 2 vols.
(1874), completed by Wülcker
in 1885. Diefenbach died at Darmstadt, March 28, 1883.