Meteorologist and philologist.

Member of Palatine Academy of Sciences (1768), on whose behalf he transmitted several volumes of Transactions to Franklin. Published numerous meteorological and philological treatises; his major meteorological work, Ephemerides Societ. Palatinae, was acclaimed throughout Europe. First in the Palatine to demonstrate the utility of lightning rods. Served at various times as curator of a scientific museum, canon of Heinsburg, and privy councillor to Karl August, Duke of Zweibrücken, and King Stanislaus of Poland.

Born at Horbach in the Palatine, the son of a poor farmer. Educated at Jesuit College in Cologne. Joined Jesuits but later left the order.