He was born in
Hamburg on April 13, 1628. In 1644 he entered in the
gymnasium where he came under the influence of his mother's brother,
Lucas Holstenius, the most distinguished
philologian,
antiquarian, and
critic of his time. The latter had early recognized his nephew's gifts, and entered into a lively correspondence with the lad of barely twelve. On his recommendation, Lambeck went to
Holland in 1645 to continue his studies, and at the
University of Amsterdam, came in contact with many scholars, especially the philologian
Gerhard Johann Vossius. He later left the
Netherlands at his uncle's wish and went to
Paris, where his relationship with the celebrated Holstenius, as well as his own abilities, secured him access to the most distinguished savants of his time. He here received the degree of
Doctor of Laws. After finishing his studies, Lambeck made a tour through
France,
Liguria, and
Etruria, and spent two years in
Rome, where under the special direction of his uncle, who had become papal librarian, he undertook classical and historical researches. When barely nineteen, his learned work had already brought him the approval of the learned public of Paris. On his return to Hamburg in 1652, he was made professor of history at the gymnasium, and in 1660 became rector of the local college. He had many enemies on account of his success, and, being accused of
atheism, decided to give up his position. His decision to leave the country and return to Rome was facilitated by an unhappy marriage, which he had entered into shortly before. In Rome he soon won the favor of
Alexander VII.
Queen Christina of Sweden, then resident at Rome, also exercised a great influence over him, and soon he entered the
Catholic Church. To secure a permanent position he went to
Vienna, where
Emperor Leopold appointed him librarian and court historiographer. In this position he performed great services by his arrangement of the library, and especially by his catalogues of its treasures. These catalogues are even of value today, being especially important for the numerous contributions they contain to our knowledge of the
Old German language and literature. Of great importance for the history of literature is his
Prodromus Historiae literariae, of which a second enlarged edition was issued by
J. A. Fabricius with a biographical sketch of the author, published separately at Hamburg in 1724. The
Prodromus was the first comprehensive history of literature, chronologically arranged. Among other works, Lambeck also published a history of his native town, and researches into the history of the
Byzantine Empire. The physician Edward Browne on his travels while at Vienna in 1677 records:
The worthy Petrus Lambecius his Library Keeper, and who is in great esteem with him,(Emperor Leopold) will usually find out some Books for him which he conceiveth may be acceptable. While I was there he recommended a Translation of Religio Medici unto him, wherewith the Emperour (Leopold) was exceedingly pleased, and spake very much of it unto Lambecius, insomuch that Lambecius asked me whether I knew the Author,(Thomas Browne) he being of my own name, and whether he were living: And when he understood my near Relation to him, he became more kind and courteous than ever, and desired me to send him that Book in the Original English, which he would put into the Emperors Library. Lambeck died in
Vienna on April 4, 1680. == Works ==