THEOPHRASTUS, the successor of Aristotle in the Peri patetic school, a native of Eresus in Lesbos, was born c. 372 B.C. His original name was Tyrtamus, but he later became known by the nickname "Theophrastus," given to him, it is said, by Aris totle to indicate the grace of his conversation. After receiving his first introduction to philosophy in Lesbos from one Leucippus or Alcippus, he proceeded to Athens, and became a member of the Platonic circle. After Plato's death he attached himself to Aristotle, and in all probability accompanied him to Stageira. Aristotle in his will made him guardian of his children, bequeathed to him his library and the originals of his works, and designated him as his successor at the Lyceum on his own removal to Chal cis. Theophrastus presided over the Peripatetic school for 35 years, and died in 287 B.C.
The most important of the works of Theophrastus are two large botanical treatises, On the History of Plants, in nine books, origi nally ten, and On the Causes of Plants, in six books, originally eight, which constitute the most important contribution to bo tanical science during antiquity and the middle ages. We also
possess in fragments a History of Physics, a treatise On Stones, and a work On Sensation, and certain metaphysical 'Aropi..cu, which probably once formed part of a systematic treatise. The writings of Theophrastus are accessible in the Teubner series.
The Ethical Characters ('HOLKolxapaKrnpfs) consist of brief, vigorous and trenchant delineations of moral types, which give a most valuable picture of the life of his time. They form the first recorded attempt at systematic "character" writing. The Ethical Characters was edited by Casaubon in 1592 and trans lated by La Bruyere (1688-89) ; the best modern translation (with introduction and notes) is that of Sir Richard Jebb (187o; rev. ed. J. E. Sandys, 1909).
good account of Theophrastus is found in E. Zeller, Aristotle and the Earlier Peripatetics (Eng. trans. B. F. C. Costelloe and J. H. Muirhead, 1897). For his astronomical work, see ASTRONOMY (Historical Section) and for the botanical works, J. Berendes, Die Pharmacie bei den alien Culturvolkern (vol. i., 1891). See also G. S. Gordon, Theophrastus and his Imitators (1912).