Expert: Maria - 4/29/2009

Question
Dear Maria,
Do you know of any english biographies of Theodor Mommsen? Ive only found ones written in German. Also, Ive read some of your posts on the Latin section, so Im wondering if you could recommend a beginning book for Latin learners. Should I go with Wheelocks, which seems to be quite reputable?  Thanks


Answer
Dear Timothy,

As far as I know, there is only an English biographie by the Oxford humanist William Warde Fowler, “Theodor Mommsen: His Life and Work” (1909), and an English article as an entry from “Contemporary Authors”, a reference volume published by Thompson Gale (December 16, 2007).

See at:

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/82988882

http://www.abebooks.it/servlet/SearchResults?tn=Theodor+Mommsen,+His+Life+Work

http://www.amazon.com/Biography-Christian-Matthias-1817-1903-Contemporary/dp/B00...

Further information about Theodor Mommsen, the greatest classical historian of the nineteenth century, you can find at:

http://italian.classic-literature.co.uk/history-of-rome/theodor-mommsen-biograph...

http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/mommsen.htm

Nothing else I cannot suggest, unfortunately!


As for a beginning book for Latin learners, you can go with Wheelock’s Latin which is the standard text for introducing students to elementary Latin.

Also:

-“Getting Started with Latin: Beginning Latin for Homeschoolers and Self-Taught Students of Any Age” by William E. Linney

-"Elementary Latin" by B. L. Ullman and Norman E. Henry

-“Essential Latin: The Language and Life of Ancient Rome" by G.D.A Sharpley

Hope this helps.
Have a nice day,
Maria