LORINSER, Carl Maria Franz. Berlin 12.3.1821 — Breslau 12.11.1893. German Catholic Theologian interested in Sanskrit. Born of a family originally coming from Bohemia, the only child of Karl Ignatius L., a physician. In 1825 the family moved to Oppeln, Upper Silesia (Opole in Poland). After school and gymnasium in Oppeln he studied catholic theology in 1839-41 at Breslau, 1841-42 at Munich, and 1842-44 in Rome. Ordained as a priest in 1843 in Rome. Dr. Theol. 1844 Munich. From 1844 worked as a priest in Breslau, from 1869 member of chapter. He was a theologian, but also interested in Spanish language and literature and in Sanskrit. His Bhagavadgītā. translation was very popular, but he also claimed that its main ideas were copied from the New Testament.

Publications: Much on theology and philosophy, magnum opus: Das Buch der Natur. Entwurf einer kosmologischer Theodicee. 1-7. Regensburg 1876-80.

– On Spanish language and literature, German translations of Spanish classics, especially plays.

– Die Bhagavad-Gita. Übersetzt und erläutert. 36+289 p. Breslau 1869.

Sources: J. Lauchert, A.D.B. 52, 1906, 80-82; Wikipedia with photo.