EBERHARD, JOHANN AUGUST

JOHANN AUGUST EBERHARD. — Philosopher, Protestant pastor, b. at Halberstadt on 31 Aug. 1739, d. at Halle on 6 Jan. 1809. He studied theology, philosophy, and philology; he was a private tutor, preacher, and professor of philosophy at Halle from 1778.

His *Neue Apologie des Sokrates* (1772) made him famous for affirming the existence of virtue in the pre-Christian world. He had eclectic tendencies, infused with Leibniz and Wolff. He attacked Kantian criticism in books and two journals.

Bibl.: Principal works: *Sittenlehre der Vernunft*, Berlin 1781; *Handbuch der Ästhetik*, 4 vols., Halle 1803–1805; Studies: F. Nicolai, *Gedächtnisschrift auf J. A. E.*, Berlin 1880; G. Drager, *A. E. Psychologie und Ästhetik*, Halle 1905.

EBERHARD, Matthias. — Bishop of Trier, b. 10 Nov. 1815 at Trier, d. there on 30 May 1876. Ordained priest in 1839, he taught dogmatics at the Trier Seminary, which he directed from 1849 to 1862. As a deputy to the Prussian Diet, in 1853 he requested fairer treatment for Catholic clergy, who were at a disadvantage compared to Protestant ministers. Bishop of Trier in 1867, he firmly opposed the anti-Catholic laws during the *Kulturkampf*, and for this stance was arrested and imprisoned from 6 March to 31 Dec. 1874.

Bibl.: H. Bruck, *Geschichte der katholischen Kirche in Deutschland*, III–IV, Mainz–Münster 1866–1908, passim; A. Ditscheid, *E. im Kulturkampf*, Trier 1900; K. Kammer, *Trierer Kulturkampfreiter*, ibid. 1926.