Johan Samuel Augustin

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Johan Samuel Augustin (March 31, 1715 – April 26, 1785) was a German-Danish writer on astronomy and a civil servant. He was born in Oldenswort, Eiderstedt, into an old Frisian family. When he was two, his father died, and his guardian, Corniels Bischoff, let him live with his other uncle, Steffens Augustin, in Oldenswort. He studied at Kiel, Jena, and Leipzig, originally aiming for law but becoming an information clerk instead. In Leipzig he grew interested in mathematics and astronomy, built a large library and an instrument collection, and even worked with a printer involved in releasing the work Peder Paars.

In 1750 he moved to Copenhagen to work as secretary of the War Chancellery and was promoted to First Secretary in 1757. He was admitted to the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences in 1775 and became a member of the Royal Danish Society of Homeland History in 1781. Augustin died in Copenhagen unmarried and was buried at Assistens Cemetery, the first notable person buried there as the cemetery began to welcome prominent figures. A portrait of him is included in the catalog of his collection.

He wrote and translated several works, including a German translation titled Briefe des Joaber Adaders aus der Sonne an Pyrophilus (first published in 1748). He also contributed to the Academy’s writings, with pieces such as Om Forskjellen imellem Tycho Brahes og Picards Meridian af Uranienborg and Adskillige Steders Længde og Bredde i Norge. In 1781 and 1782 he gave lectures, Om Tycho Brahes skrevne Observationer og deres Skæbne and Om Vejrligets besynderlige Forandringer i Januar 1782, though these were not printed.