Johann Michael Feder

He studied in the episcopal seminary of Würzburg from 1772–1777; in the latter year he was ordained priest and promoted to the licentiate in theology. For several years Feder was chaplain of the Julius hospital; in 1785 he was appointed extraordinary professor of theology and Semitic languages at the University of Würzburg. He was created a Doctor of Divinity in 1786; director of the university library 1791, ordinary professor of theology and censor of theological publications, 1795.

After the reorganization of the University of Würzburg, 1803-4, he was appointed chief librarian, resigning the professorship of theology in 1805. Shortly after his removal from office as librarian, November, 1811, he suffered a stroke of apoplexy, from which he never fully recovered.

Feder was a prolific writer, editor, and translator, imbued with the liberal views of his time. His revision of Heinrich Braun's German translation of the Bible (1803), 2 vols., served as the basis for Joseph Franz Allioli's translation.

He also translated widely:

• the writings of Cyril of Jerusalem (1786);
• the sermons of Chrysostom on Matthew and John, in conjunction with Eulogius Schneider (1786–88);
• Theodoret's ten discourses on Divine Providence (1788);
• Gerard's lectures on pastoral duties (1803);
• Louis-François de Bausset's life of Fénelon (1800–12), 3 vols., and the same author's life of Bossuet (1820);
• Fabert's "Meditations" (1786).

He was editor of the Magazin zur Beförderung des Schulwesens (1791–97), 3 vols., of the Prakt.-theol. Magazin für katholische Geistliche (1798–1800), and of the Würzburger Gelehrten Anzeigen (1788–92). He also wrote several volumes of sermons.

Attribution

•   This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Johann Michael Feder". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.