Johann Michael Vansleb
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Johann Michael Vansleb (1 November 1635 – 1679) was a German
(Depending on the language of publication, his name is spelled a number of different ways including: Wansleben, Vansleben, Vanslebio, Vanslebius, Vanslep, Wanslebio, Wanslebius, J. M. Vansleb, Giovanni Michele, F. Vansleb (F for Father), P. Vansleb or Jean.)
Biography
Vansleb was born in Erfurt. In 1663, after a long stay in London, Vansleb planned a journey to Ethiopia in search of religious manuscripts for his patron Ernest I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha. He never got beyond Egypt, however. It was while staying in Rome, during his return voyage, that he converted to Catholicism.
In the service of
Vansleb travelled extensively in Egypt during the next 12 months, making a journey as far down as
Contemporary accounts [1] relate that Vansleb's account was received with mixed feelings. Vansleb is a keen observer, repeatedly trying to get to the bottom of things, yet at other times accepting obscure and spurious explanations without much resistance, for example on the mating rituals of the Nile crocodile.
Works
- Ludolf, Hiob, Lexicon Aethiopico-Latinum, Ed. by J. M. Wansleben, London 1661.
- Nouvelle Relation En forme de Iournal, D´vn Voyage Fait en Egypte. Par le P. Vansleb, R.D., en 1672 & 1673. Paris. chez Estienne Michallet, 1677.
- The Present State of Egypt: or A New Relation of a Late Voyage into That Kingdom Performed in the Years 1672 and 1673, London, 1678. (English translation)
References
- ^ A letter from Dublin, concerning the Porphyry Pillars in Egypt By Dr Huntingdon, published in A collection of curious Travels, London, Vol II, 1738.
Sources
- Hiob Ludolf
- The Present State of Egypt: or A New Relation of a Late Voyage into That Kingdom Performed in the Years 1672 and 1673, London, 1678.
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