Theodore Haak (1605 in Worms-Neuhausen – 1690 in London) was a German Calvinist scholar, resident in England in later life. Haak's communications abilities and interests in the new science provided the backdrop for convening the "1645 Group", a precursor of the Royal Society.[1]
Although not himself known as a natural philosopher, Haak's engagement with others facilitated the expansion and diffusion of the “new science” throughout Europe. Haak's language skills were used in translation and interpretation and his personal correspondence with the natural philosophers and theologians of the day, including Marin Mersenne and Johann Amos Comenius; he facilitated introductions and further collaborations. Beginning in 1645 he worked as a translator on the Dutch Annotations Upon the Whole Bible (1657).[2][3][4] Haak began the first German translation of John Milton's Paradise Lost until the beginning of Book IV (not published).[5]
- ^ . Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.
- ^ "Biblical Criticism Catalogue Number 72". www.mhs.ox.ac.uk. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
- ^ "Turpin Library - Rare Books Collection". rarebooks.dts.edu. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
- ^ "Turpin Library - Rare Books Collection". rarebooks.dts.edu. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
- ^ Autograph with the title Das Verlustigte Paradeiß auß und nach dem Englischen J. M.s [John Miltons] durch T. H. [Theodor Haak] zu übersetzen angefangen. Electronic edition of the Universitätsbibliothek Kassel Ernst Gottlieb von Berge built on Haak's translation and published it under the title Das Verlustigte Paradeis. Auß Johann Miltons Zeit seiner Blindheit Jn Englischer Sprache abgefaßten unvergleichlichen Gedicht Jn unser gemein Teutsch übergetragen und verleget durch E. G. V. B. [Ernst Gottlieb von Berge]. Jn Zerbst Bey Johann Ernst Bezeln. Anno M DC LXXXII. [1682]. Google Books