Balthasar bekker biography sample

Balthasar Bekker (20 March – 11 June ) was a Dutch minister and author of philosophical and theological works. Opposing superstition, he was a key figure in the end of the witchcraft persecutions in early modern Europe.

His best known work is De Betoverde Weereld (), or The World Bewitched ().

Life

Bekker was born in Metslawier (Dongeradeel) as the son of a German pastor from Bielefeld. He was educated at Groningen, under Jacob Alting, and at Franeker.

Balthasar bekker biography sample pdf

Becoming the rector of the local Latin school, he was appointed to his satisfaction in as a pastor in Oosterlittens (Littenseradiel), and started as one of the first to preach on Sunday afternoon.

From he worked in Amsterdam, after being driven from Friesland.

In he travelled to England and France. In two months time Bekker visited London, Cambridge, Oxford, Paris and Leuven, with a great interest in the art of fortification.

Works

An enthusiastic disci