Adam Olearius
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Adam Olearius (actually Adam Oehlschlaeger) (1603-1671), German scholar, mathematician, geographer and librarian. He became secretary to the ambassador sent by the duke of Holstein-Gottorp to the Shah of Persia, and published two books about the events and observations during his travels.
- Offt begehrte Beschreibung Der Newen Orientalischen Rejse / So durch Gelegenheit einer Holsteinischen Legation an den König in Persien geschehen. published fuirst in 1647
- Vermehrte Newe Beschreibung Der Muscowitischen und Persischen Reyse So durch gelegenheit einer Holsteinischen Gesandtschaft an den Russischen Zaar und König in Persien geschehen. published in 1656
Both books were rapidly translated in several European languages, including English, French and Russian.
By his lively and well-informed writing he introduced Germany (and the rest of Europe) to Persian literature and culture. Montesquieu depended on him for local color in writing his satiric Lettres Persanes (Persian Letters, 1721), though he used the French translation, Relation de voyage de Moscovie, Tartarie et de Perse.
Among his many translations of Persian literature into German are
Saadi's Golistan : Persianischer Rosenthal. In welchem viel lustige Historien ... von ... Schich Saadi in Persianischer Sprache beschrieben. printed in Schleswig by Holwein in 1654.
External links
- Excerpts of English translation of his voyages (http://depts.washington.edu/uwch/silkroad/texts/olearius/travels.html)de:Adam Olearius