Daniel Klein (grammarian)

Daniel Klein (; 1609–1666) was a Lutheran pastor and scholar from Tilsit, Duchy of Prussia, who is best known for writing the first grammar book of the Lithuanian language.

University education and start of career as a pastor

Klein studied philosophy, theology, Greek and Hebrew in the University of Königsberg. In 1637 he became a Lutheran pastor.

Publication of Lithuanian grammar

In 1653 Klein published the first printed grammar book of the Lithuanian language – Grammatica Litvanica, written in Latin. Klein coined the distinctive Lithuanian letter Ė.

Other works written in Lithuanian

He also wrote a Lithuanian dictionary, but it was left unpublished. Klein published collections of Lithuanian hymns (), some of which he wrote himself.

Posthumous reputation in the 18th century

Another German, as well an Evangelical Lutheran priest, and an appreciator of the Lithuanian language, who wrote a grammar of the Lithuanian language in German language, Gottfried Ostermeyer, in the 1793 book described Daniel Klein as follows:

References

External links

• Danielius Kleinas, Daiva KÅ¡anienė, Mažoji Lietuva
• The Lithuanian Language, Giedrius Subačius, Institute of the Lithuanian Language