BAHRDT, bart, Karl Friedrich, German theologian: b. Bischofswerda, Saxony, 25 Aug. 1741; d. Halle, 23 April 1792; studied in Schulp forte and Leipzig, where he first showed his great talents. In 1766 he was appointed pro fessor in the University of Leipzig. His works and his talents as a preacher met with accept ance, but in consequence of immoral conduct he was obliged to quit that city in 1768. From this time he led an unsettled life. He was suc cessively professor of theology and preacher in Erfurt (where he was made doctor of theol ogy), in Giessen, Switzerland, and in Diirk helm, but was obliged to leave each of these places on account of his severe attack§ on the clergy and the heterodox views manifested in his writings and sermons, as well as on account of his irregular life. The Aulic Council de clared him disqualified to preach or to publish unless he would revoke the religious principles advanced in his works. In 1779 he went to
Halle, where he published his creed. It is thoroughly deistical, denying the miracles, and not insisting on the immortality of the soul. He lectured in Halle, but soon became involved in difficulties with the clergy; upon which he left the city, and established, in a neighboring vineyard, a tavern, where he had many cus tomers, whose vitiated tastes and depraved habits he made no scruple of gratifying. Ulti mately, in consequence of two works which he wrote, the patience of government was ex hausted. He was brought to trial, condemned and confined in the fortress of Magdeburg. Here he wrote his life. At the end of a year, having regained his liberty, he again opened his tavern at Halle, where he died.