EHNI, Jacques David (Jakob D. E.). Cannstadt near Stuttgart 25.11.1827 — Nyon 19.7.1903. German Indologist, Scholar of Religion and Valdesian Theologian in Switzerland. In 1841-45 (?) studied at Lutheran seminary in Blabeuren, then theology and philology at Tübingen University. Dr.Theol. 1849. For a short while worked as a tutor and at Lyceum of Ludwigsburg, in 1851-53 further studies (mainly of French) in Paris. Now teacher at gymnasium of Ulm, from 1855 Lutheran minister, then tutor in London. In 1858-60 travelled in Italy in 1861-62 in Egypt, Palestine, Turkey and Greece. Then in Florence, now as an accepted Valdesian priest and began teaching theology. From 1865 Minister of the German Lutheran congregation in Geneva. In 1880 he was unsuccesful candidate for the chair of comparative religion there. According to Barth rather speculative in his hypotheses (1890). Married 1864 Louise Viollier-Ador, of Switzerland.
Publications: “Rigv. X 85. Die Vermählung des Sena und der Sûrya”, ZDMG 33, 1879, 166-176.
– Trois formes du mythe de Zeus. 45 p. Genève 1880.
– Der Vedischer Mythus des Yama verglichen mit den analogen Typen der persischen, griechischen und germanischen Mythologie. 216 p. Strassburg 1890.
– Die ursprüngliche Gottheit des Vedischen Yama. 163 p. Leipzig 1896.
– Also wrote on theology, travel accounts, etc.
Sources: Member lists of D.M.G. Not mentioned in Swiss biographical dictionaries, name not mentioned in the Dictionary of Swiss surnames. Works in N.U.C. Full biography by L. Pilone at www.studivaldesi.org/dizionario/evan_det.php?evan_id=416 (although called Jacques Jacob); obituary in Le Globe 43, 1904, 5f.
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