Johann Erhard Kapp

Johann Erhard Kapp (23 March 1696 – 7 February 1756) was a German rhetorician and historian.

Life Johann Erhard Kapp was born in Oberkotzau, a small market town in the hill country between Leipzig and Nuremberg. His father was a carter ("Fuhrmann"). In 1796 he enrolled at the secondary school ("Gymnasium") in Hof, a couple of hours to the north of Oberkotzau. However, according to at least one source he was removed from the school after six months and instead taught privately. The denominational context in the Leipzig Theological faculty was by this time one of Lutheran orthodoxy.

In 1735 he was given an additional post as "Programmatist". One of his responsibilities in this role involved producing biographical compilations for deceased members of the university. Kapp also took his share of administrative responsibilities more generally, serving on several occasions as dean of the Philosophy faculty. He also served as university rector on six occasion between 1734 and 1754, always during a summer term.

He died after a long illness at Leipzig on 7 February 1756.

Academic focus Kapp made his name, primarily, with his work on Reformation History, much of which resonates even today. He produced a number of biographical essays on eminent contemporaries which also continue to find readers. When Valentin Ernst Löscher died he took over as producer of the journal "Unschuldige Nachrichten von alten und neuen theologischen Sachen", which he continued to direct till his death.

Publisher output (selection)

Leipzig 1720 Leipzig 1720 Leipzig 1721 4 vols, Leipzig 1727–33 . 1747 * 1735