He was born in Zerbst, and studied philosophy and theology at the University of Göttingen and Berlin until 1815.
He then accepted a similar position at the University of Göttingen, where he remained till his death.
This work was the product of a wide and thorough knowledge of the subject aided by an impartial critical faculty, and its value was underscored by its translation into almost all the languages of Europe.
He wrote also accounts of ancient schools of philosophy, such as the Ionians, the Pythagoreans and the Megarians.
[1] Beside these important historical works, he published a large number of treatises of which the following may be mentioned: