Erpenius

Erpenius (van Erpen), Thomas (1584-1624), an Orientalist, born at Gorkum in Holland. At Leyden he studied Oriental languages under Joseph Scaliger, and made the acquaintance of scholars during his travels over Europe. In 1612 he became professor of Arabic and other Oriental languages at Leyden, and set up an Oriental press. He was also professor of Hebrew, Oriental interpreter to the States-General, and was employed by the King of Spain to read Moorish inscriptions. He published Hebrew and Arabic grammars, and a history of the Saracens, and was contemplating other works of a similar nature when death overtook him.