Boehme
JAKOB (be'me), a German mystical writer, born in 1575. He was apprenticed to a shoemaker in his 14th year; and 10 years later he was settled at Görlitz as a master tradesman, and married a butcher's daughter of the town. He was much persecuted by the religious authorities, and at his death the rites of the Church were but grudgingly administered to him. He imagined himself favored by divine inspiration.
His first work appeared in 1616, and was called "Aurora." It contains his revelations on God, man, and nature. Among his other works are "De tribus Principiis," "De Signatura Rerum," "Mysterium Magnum," etc. His writings all aim at religious edification, but his philosophy is very obscure and often fantastic. A sect, taking their name from Boehme, was formed in England. He died in 1624.