SUHM, PETER FREDERIK, a Danish historian, was b. in Copenhagen, Oct. 18,1728, of an ancient and noble family, and was sent to the university of Copenhagen, where he graduated in law in 1748. A few years later he went to Norway for the sake of prosecuting his studies in philology and history, in conjunction with the learned histo rian Schoning, and did not return till 1765 to Copenhagen, where he continued to reside till his death in 1798. Among his numerous works on the early mythical and political history of Denmark we may instance the following: Forsoeg tit Forbedringer i den gamle danske og norske Historic (1757); Om de not•diske Folks celdste Oprinderse (1770); Om Odin og den hedenske Gudelcere (1771); Critisk Historic af Danmark i den hendenske Tid, Band (1774-81); Historie af Danmark, lste Tome (1782). Besides numerous other histori cal essays, moral treatises, poetic compositions, contributions to the philosophical and literary periodicals of Germany, France, and Denmark, etc., he edited Seriptores Rerun Daniearum Medd Are:, from vol. iv. to vol. vii. inclusive (Hafnice, 1776-92), and took upon himself the cost and supervision of the publication of many remains of old northern literature. Suhm was an indefatigable collector of rare and curious books; and in 1796,
in return for a pension from the government, he made over to the royal library of Copenhagen his valuable library of 100,000 volumes, to which he had previously allowed. the public access. After the death of his only son he devoted the greater part of his, ample means to the purpose of having copies made of the more valuable MSS. in the collection, many of which were, moreover, printed at his sole charge; besides which he founded scholarships and afforded direct pecuniary assistance to many poor students and learned men. He died in 1798. Suhm's collective writings were brought out by S. Poulsen, in 16 vols., between 1788-99; and various editions of his lesser works have at different times appeared in. Germany, as well as in Denmark, where he is justly regarded as one of the most learned and laborious and patriotic writers of his country.