HER'MANN, JOHANN GOTTFRIED JAJeOB, a German philologist of great genius and learning, was b. at Leipsic, Nov. 28, 1772; studied there and at Jena, and was made, in 1798, extraordinary professor of philosophy. In 1803 he was called to Kiel as ordinary professor of eloquence, becoming, in addition, professor of poetry in 1809. and in this position lie remained till his death, Dec. 31, 1848. Distinguished by liberal-mindedness and love of truth, by eloquence and extensive culture, Hermann continued till his latest days to attract a large circle of students to his class-room, which sent forth some of the most celebrated teachers in the schools and universities of Germany. The first depart ment which he began to cultivate on original principles was the science of meter, of which lie attempted to develop a philosophical theory from the categories of Kant; and on this subject he wrote, besides his Handbuch d. ltetrik (1798), several Latin treatises.
among which his Epitome Doctrines Metricce (1818) reached a third edition in 1832. Of wider importance, however, was the new method which he introduced into the treat ment of Greek grammar, which has had its influence on the grammar of Latin, and even of modern languages, especially of the German. The principles of this method are not only explicitly developed in his De Emendenda Ratione Gram Grammatica (1801), but are practically illustrated in his numerous editions of the ancient classics. Her mann's power of dealing with chronological, topographical, and personal questions, is shown in his Oputeu/a Vols., Leip. 18274830), which also contain sornd poems breath ilia. the spirit or Roman poetry. Consult Jahn's Gottfried Hermann eine GeddeldnissredL (Leip. 1849).