William Robertson (Hebraist)

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William Robertson (fl. 1650 – 1680) was a Scottish Hebraist. He was educated at Edinburgh University, taught Hebrew in London from 1653–1680, then in 1680 was appointed lecturer in Hebrew at Cambridge University. [1]

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A Hebraist is a specialist in Jewish, Hebrew and Hebraic studies. Specifically, British and German scholars of the 18th and 19th centuries who were involved in the study of Hebrew language and literature were commonly known by this designation, at a time when Hebrew was little understood outside practicing Jewish communities.

Contents

Life

A graduate of Edinburgh, he is identified by Edgar Cardew Marchant in the Dictionary of National Biography as probably the William Robertson who was laureated by Duncan Forester in April 1645. From 1653 to 1680 he lived in the City of London and taught Hebrew. In 1680 he was appointed university teacher of Hebrew at Cambridge at a salary of £20 a year. [2]

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Robertson believed Hebrew could be learned by ordinary people with a minimum of linguistic background. In the Interregnum he was supported by patrons such as John Sadler, William Steele and Lady Katherine Ranelagh, [3] and was able to publish freely. In theology he followed David Dickson and Robert Douglas. After 1660 he had little support, and lost much of his version of the Hebrew New Testament of Elias Hutter in the Great Fire of London. [4]

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Works

Robertson's works include:

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References

  1. ↑ Editor's notes to William Robertson - A gate or door to the holy tongue, 1653 ed. 1971 "William Robertson was educated at Edinburgh University, but apart from this fact the details of his early life are obscure. He spent most of his active life (from 1653-1680) in London where he was employed as a teacher of Hebrew. In 1680 he was appointed lecturer in Hebrew at Cambridge University. His published works on language are mostly concerned with Hebrew, although he did produce a work on Latin which enjoyed a certain popularity in its day — Phraseologia generalis, 1681, re-issued 1693, reprinted [1696]"
  2. 1 2 Wikisource-logo.svg "Robertson, William (d.1686?)". Dictionary of National Biography . London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.
  3. ↑ Sarah Hutton Anne Conway: a woman philosopher 2004 p138 "KATHERINE RANELAGH Before leaving the Boyle connection, some mention should be made of the outstanding woman in Boyle's circle, his sister Katherine Jones, Viscountess Ranelagh (1615-91)."
  4. ↑ Life, Page. "Robertson, William". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/23815.(Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
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