The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Froben, Joannes

FROBEN, or FROBENIUS, Joannes, German scholar and printer: b. Hammelburg about 1460; d. 1527. He received his education at the University of Basel. In 1491 he set up a printing press at Basel, which became noted for its excellence. He published editions of Saint Jerome, Saint Cyprian, Tertullian, Hilary of Poitiers and Saint Ambrose. He also published the works of Erasmus, of whom he was an intimate friend. His Greek Testament, edited by Erasmus, was used by Luther for his translation. Froben projected an edition of the Greek Fathers, which was issued after his death by his son Jerome and his son-in-law, Nikolaus Episcopius. Many texts of Froben's were illuminated by Holbein.