Matthias von Lexer, Germanist

* October 18, 1830 in Liesing im Lesachtal
† November 2, 1892 in Nuremberg

After a short insight into law in 1851/52 Lexer met Germanist Karl Weinhold in Graz whom he supported with his work from then on. In 1806, he obtained his doctorate in Nuremberg. In 1868, following several years in Freiburg, he was appointed to the Würzburg chair. Only short before his death, Lexer left Würzburg to go to Munich in 1891, but died in Nuremberg in 1892.

Future generations owe Matthias Lexer several dictionaries of high relevance for modern language history that Lexer prepared painstakingly with little support by other people. Furthermore, he decisively featured a few historical editions.

Lexer, who grew up in poor circumstances, acquired high reputation due to his achievements: Only two years after his appointment to Würzburg, he was elected to the senate and held the office of the dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and university rector. In 1885, he was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Verdienstordens der Bayerischen Krone (Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Bavarian Crown).

His former home was at Hauger Ring 2.