Joachim Neander

NEANDER, Joachim. b. Bremen, 1650; d. Bremen, 31 May 1680. Born the son of a schoolmaster (the family name was Neumann or Niemann, and this was changed to the Greek form by Joachim’s grandfather). He was educated at the Academic Gymnasium (‘Gymnasium illustre’) of Bremen. According to his first biographer, Reitz, Neander was scornful of religion as a young man, entering St Martin’s Church, Bremen to make fun of the proceedings and of the pastor, Theodor Undereyk (1635-1693). He was so affected by the worship and the sermon that he stayed to pray and praise, later seeking out Undereyk for conversation and counselling. He became a private tutor, accompanying his charges to the University of...