John Barratier
Encyclopedia
John Barratier was an 18th century child prodigy
. The following note describing him appears in a letter to the British Royal Society November 28, 1769:
"John Barratier hath been most particularly distinguished, who is said to have understood Latin when he was but four years old, Hebrew
when six, and three other languages at the age of nine.
This same prodigy of philosophical learning also translated the travels of Rabbi Benjamin
when eleven years old, accompanying his version with notes and dissertations. Before his death, which happened under the age of twenty, Barratier seems to have astonished Germany
with his amazing extent of learning; and it need not be said, that its increase in such a soil, from year to year, is commonly amazing."
This comment was made as part of a longer letter submitted by the Honourable Daines Barrington describing "a very remarkable young musician" Joannes Chrysostomus Wolgangus Theophilus Mozart.
Barratier died before the age of 20.
Child prodigy
A child prodigy is someone who, at an early age, masters one or more skills far beyond his or her level of maturity. One criterion for classifying prodigies is: a prodigy is a child, typically younger than 18 years old, who is performing at the level of a highly trained adult in a very demanding...
. The following note describing him appears in a letter to the British Royal Society November 28, 1769:
"John Barratier hath been most particularly distinguished, who is said to have understood Latin when he was but four years old, Hebrew
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...
when six, and three other languages at the age of nine.
This same prodigy of philosophical learning also translated the travels of Rabbi Benjamin
Benjamin of Tudela
Benjamin of Tudela was a medieval Jewish traveler who visited Europe, Asia, and Africa in the 12th century. His vivid descriptions of western Asia preceded those of Marco Polo by a hundred years...
when eleven years old, accompanying his version with notes and dissertations. Before his death, which happened under the age of twenty, Barratier seems to have astonished Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
with his amazing extent of learning; and it need not be said, that its increase in such a soil, from year to year, is commonly amazing."
This comment was made as part of a longer letter submitted by the Honourable Daines Barrington describing "a very remarkable young musician" Joannes Chrysostomus Wolgangus Theophilus Mozart.
Barratier died before the age of 20.