James Bonaventure Hepburn
Encyclopedia
James Hepburn nicknamed "Bonaventura" or "Bonaventure Hepburn", was a Scottish Roman Catholic linguist, lexicographer, grammarian and biblical commentator. He was a scholar of some renown and rose to the post of Keeper of Oriental Books and Manuscripts at the Vatican
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In 1591 he published a work on his study of the Hebrew language
and in 1616 his work on other foreign languages was published as The Heavenly Golden Rod of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Seventy-two Praises (also known as Virga Aurea), a listing of 72 different alphabets. He was also known for translating into the Latin language the Kettar Malcuth of Rabbi Solomon.
, James was brought up as a Protestant. After his studies at St Andrews University he converted to the Catholic Church, lived in France and Italy, and travelled extensively, through "Turkey, Persia, Syria, Palestine, Egypt, Ethiopia, and most of the eastern countries". He then joined the order of the Minims
at Avignon
.
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
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In 1591 he published a work on his study of the Hebrew language
Hebrew language
Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
and in 1616 his work on other foreign languages was published as The Heavenly Golden Rod of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Seventy-two Praises (also known as Virga Aurea), a listing of 72 different alphabets. He was also known for translating into the Latin language the Kettar Malcuth of Rabbi Solomon.
Early life
The son of Thomas Hepburn, the rector of OldhamstocksOldhamstocks
Oldhamstocks or Aldhamstocks is a civil parish and small village in the east of East Lothian, Scotland, overlooking the North Sea. It has a population of 193, and overlooks the North Sea. The parish church was consecrated in 1292.The summer Gala Day hosts activities such as sporting events...
, James was brought up as a Protestant. After his studies at St Andrews University he converted to the Catholic Church, lived in France and Italy, and travelled extensively, through "Turkey, Persia, Syria, Palestine, Egypt, Ethiopia, and most of the eastern countries". He then joined the order of the Minims
Minim (religious order)
The Minims are members of a Roman Catholic religious order of friars founded by Saint Francis of Paola in fifteenth-century Italy...
at Avignon
Avignon
Avignon is a French commune in southeastern France in the départment of the Vaucluse bordered by the left bank of the Rhône river. Of the 94,787 inhabitants of the city on 1 January 2010, 12 000 live in the ancient town centre surrounded by its medieval ramparts.Often referred to as the...
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