Thomas Grebner

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Thomas Grebner SJ (born July 1, 1718 in Mergentheim , † May 19, 1787 in Würzburg ) was a German Jesuit , philosopher and church historian .

Life

Thomas Grebner was a son of Johannes Rudolph Grebner. He received his scientific training at the University of Würzburg , where he had studied since December 1734 and in June 1736 obtained his master's degree in philosophy . In May 1736 he entered the Jesuit order in Mainz . He then took up a degree in theology and from 1740 worked for a time as a teacher in Fulda . In 1751 he made his perpetual profession and in the same year was appointed full professor of philosophy in Heidelberg . In 1754 he came to the University of Würzburg in the same capacity . As early as 1755 he was given the chair of church history there , which was vacant due to the death of Hadrian Daude . From then on he mainly worked in this area. He also taught in the Oberzell Abbey . In 1787 he died in Würzburg at the age of 69.

plant

Among Grebner's historical works, the most comprehensive is his Compendium historiae universalis et pragmaticae Romani imperii et ecclesiae christianae, regnorum ac provinciarum… (3 volumes, Würzburg, 1757–1764). The first volume is an excerpt from a larger world history of Daude. Comprehensive erudition and a skill for the clear arrangement of the extensive material are the advantages of this diligent work. In addition, it is valuable for East Franconia because it deals with the Franconian-Würzburg history in its own carefully edited sections. Grebner also dealt with the past of this country in another direction, namely with the history of the Franconian-Würzburg coinage. A comprehensive history of this area written by him, already ready for printing, was not published due to unfavorable fates. For a long time it was considered lost, but was later found in a copy in Würzburg. It is based on sources, especially in the later parts.

Grebner's historical studies on the history of the councils held in Würzburg ( Dissertatio historica de conciliis nationis Germanicae Wirceburgi in Franci orientali celebratis , Würzburg 1757), on the history of the Oberzell Abbey in the Diocese of Würzburg ( Expositio de ortu et progressu Cellae superioris ) also have some lasting value , Würzburg 1759) and about the original design of the German church ( Germania sacra in primitivo statu ecclesiae… , Würzburg 1767). In the case of the latter work, of course, the point of view from which the author starts is to be assumed to be the correct one. Grebner also wrote a handbook on ethics and natural law ( Philosophia moralis sive Ethica et ius naturae , Würzburg 1755).

literature

personal data
SURNAME Grebner, Thomas
BRIEF DESCRIPTION German Jesuit, philosopher and church historian
DATE OF BIRTH July 1, 1718
PLACE OF BIRTH Mergentheim
DATE OF DEATH May 19, 1787
Place of death Wurzburg