ERSCH, JOHANN SAMUEL (1766-1828), the founder of German bibliography, was born at Grossglogau, in Silesia, on June 23, 1766, and studied at Halle. He was the author of many important bibliographical works and, with Johann Gottfried Gruber (q.v.), of the Allgemeine Encyklo padie der Wissenscha f ten and Kunste (Leipzig, 1818, seq.) which he continued as far as the volume. The accuracy and thoroughness of this monu mental encyclopaedia make it still an important book of refer ence. Ersch died at Halle on Jan. 16, 1828.