ZINZENDORF, NIKOLAUS LUDWIG, count of. - B. on 26 May 1700 in Dresden, d. at Herrnhut on 9 May 1760. His father died shortly after his birth and his mother, having contracted a new marriage, left the young Z. in the care of his grandmother and an aunt, both Pietists and personal friends of Spener (v. PIETISMO).
Under their supervision the boy was educated in piety and, at the age of 10, entered the College of Halle, directed by the celebrated educator and Pietist A. Ermanno Franke, where, together with other companions, he founded a society to sanctify themselves and to spread the Gospel. In 1717 he transferred to the University of Wittenberg. He wished to devote himself to theology, but his family opposed this, believing it unbecoming for a German nobleman to become a mere minister and preacher. He therefore applied himself to the study of law, but did not neglect the private study of theology. Having completed his studies in 1719, he travelled in Holland, France, Switzerland, and various parts of Germany.
