Friederich Augustus Rauch
Encyclopedia
Friedrich August Rauch (27 July 1806 at Kirchbracht in Hesse Darmstadt
– 2 March 1841) was a professor of systematic theology
at Marshall College
in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania
. He is often credited as the originator of Mercersburg Theology
, although Philip Schaff
and John Williamson Nevin
were more integral in the development of its views.
Learned in German philosophy
and theology, especially Hegelian thought, Rauch's particular contribution was the writing of his book Psychology, or, A view of the human soul This was the first English exposition of Hegelian philosophy
for an American audience.
In Germany he was appointed to a full professorship at the University of Heidelberg at twenty-four years of age in which "Such an appointment at so early an age has to my knowledge only once been repeated in this century, viz., in the case of Friederich Nietzsche, who is considered the profoundest philosophical thinker of modern Germany".
Rauch died on 2 March 1841. He was buried in Mercersburg, however, his remains were later moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania
.
Landgraviate of Hesse-Darmstadt
The Landgraviate of Hesse-Darmstadt was a member state of the Holy Roman Empire. It was formed in 1567 following the division of the Landgraviate of Hesse between the four sons of Philip I, the last Landgrave of Hesse....
– 2 March 1841) was a professor of systematic theology
Systematic theology
In the context of Christianity, systematic theology is a discipline of Christian theology that attempts to formulate an orderly, rational, and coherent account of the Christian faith and beliefs...
at Marshall College
Marshall College
Marshall College was the name of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, before it was granted university status in 1961.Marshall College can also refer to:* Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania...
in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania
Mercersburg, Pennsylvania
Mercersburg is a borough in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, southwest of Harrisburg. Originally called Black Town, it was incorporated in 1831. In 1900, 956 people lived here, and in 1910, 1,410 people lived here...
. He is often credited as the originator of Mercersburg Theology
Mercersburg Theology
Mercersburg Theology was a German-American theological movement that began in the mid-19th century. It draws its name from Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, home of Marshall College from 1836 until its merger with Franklin College in 1853, and also home to the seminary of the Reformed Church in the...
, although Philip Schaff
Philip Schaff
Philip Schaff , was a Swiss-born, German-educated Protestant theologian and a historian of the Christian church, who, after his education, lived and taught in the United States.-Biography:...
and John Williamson Nevin
John Williamson Nevin
John Williamson Nevin , American theologian and educationalist, was born on Herron's Branch, near Shippensburg, Franklin county, Pennsylvania.-Biography:...
were more integral in the development of its views.
Learned in German philosophy
German philosophy
German philosophy, here taken to mean either philosophy in the German language or philosophy by Germans, has been extremely diverse, and central to both the analytic and continental traditions in philosophy for centuries, from Leibniz through Kant, Hegel, Schopenhauer, Marx, Nietzsche, Heidegger...
and theology, especially Hegelian thought, Rauch's particular contribution was the writing of his book Psychology, or, A view of the human soul This was the first English exposition of Hegelian philosophy
Hegelianism
Hegelianism is a collective term for schools of thought following or referring to G. W. F. Hegel's philosophy which can be summed up by the dictum that "the rational alone is real", which means that all reality is capable of being expressed in rational categories...
for an American audience.
In Germany he was appointed to a full professorship at the University of Heidelberg at twenty-four years of age in which "Such an appointment at so early an age has to my knowledge only once been repeated in this century, viz., in the case of Friederich Nietzsche, who is considered the profoundest philosophical thinker of modern Germany".
Rauch died on 2 March 1841. He was buried in Mercersburg, however, his remains were later moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster is a city in the south-central part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is the county seat of Lancaster County and one of the older inland cities in the United States, . With a population of 59,322, it ranks eighth in population among Pennsylvania's cities...
.