CASAUBON, kii-zo-ba, Isaac, Swiss classical scholar and theologian: b. Geneva 1559; d. London about July 1614. In his ninth year he spoke Latin fluently. In his 19th year he entered the university at Geneva, where he studied Greek, theology, the Oriental languages, etc., and in 1582 succeeded Portus as professor of the Greek language. In 1586 he married the daughter of the famous printer, Henry Stephens, In 1596 he accepted a professorship of Greek and belles lettres at Montpellier, but held it only two years. In 1600 Henry IV invited to Paris. His Protestantism, the jealousy of other scholars, and perhaps his rather unyielding character, were the occasion of many unpleas ant occurrences, for which, however, he was indemnified by the office of royal librarian. After the death of HenryIV in 1610 he went to England on the invitation of the archbishop of Canterbury, where he was received with distinction, was presented with a prebend in Canterbury Cathedral, and had a pension con ferred on him by James I, with whom he was a great favorite. He was buried in Westmin
ster Abbey. Casaubon was a liberal theologian, a man of extensive learning, a good translator and an excellent critic. As a critic, he com mented on Diogenes, Laertius, Aristotle, Theo phrastus, Suetonius, Persius, Polybius, Theoc ritus, Strabo, Dionysius of Halicarnassus, Athenzeus, Pliny the Younger, etc. Nearly all the ancient classics are indebted to his valuable researches. His profound dissertation on the satirical poetry of the Greeks and the satire of the Romans (We Satyrica Graca Po_si et Romanorum Satira') deserves particular praise. His theological writings are of less value. His diary, which had been preserved by his son, Meric, was edited by Russell (Oxford 1850) under the title of 'Ephemerides.' Casaubon's Letters) were published at Rotterdam (1709). A (Life of Casaubon' was written by Mark Pattison (1875; id. ed., ed. by Nettleship, Ox ford 1892,. Consult also Nozelle, (Isaac Ca saubon, sa vie et son temps' (Pans 1897).