Wilhelm Adolf Becker
German classical scholar (1796–1846)

Wilhelm Adolf Becker (1796 – 30 September 1846) was a German classical scholar.
Biography
Becker was born in Dresden, the son of German art historian, numismatist and author Wilhelm Gottlieb Becker. At first destined for a commercial life, he was in 1812 sent to the celebrated school at Pforta. In 1816 he entered the University of Leipzig, where he studied under Beck and Hermann. After holding subordinate posts at Zerbst and Meissen, he was in 1842 appointed professor of archaeology at Leipzig. He died at Meissen on 30 September 1846.
Works
The works by which Becker is most widely known are the Gallus, oder, römische Scenen aus der Zeit Augusts: zur genaueren Kenntniss des römischen Privatlebens (1838, new ed. by Hermann Göll, 1880–1882), and the Charicles: Bilder altgriechischer Sitte, zur genaueren Kenntniss des griechischen Privatlebens (1840, new ed. by Göll, 1877–1878). These two books were translated into English by Frederick Metcalfe.
This brief starts where responsible research should: with the source description of “Wilhelm Adolf Becker” as german classical scholar (1796–1846). Everything that follows is an evidence route, not borrowed authority.
Why this record matters
The subject matters to the general reference register because the source frames it as german classical scholar (1796–1846). Its deeper value depends on whether names, dates, institutions and citations support that framing.
The citation trail is more important than the brevity of the summary: it shows where individual claims can be examined in context. The source revision retrieved here is dated May 23, 2024. The linked authority identifier is Q70348. VIAF identifies the subject as 88728074. The Library of Congress control number is n90657475. 3 of 3 selected statements include explicit references; 0 carry qualifiers and 0 use preferred rank. The first chronological checks are 1796, 1846, 1812 and 1816.
Overview language is designed for orientation and should not be treated as a substitute for the evidence cited beneath it. The lead is largely declarative, so disagreement and counter-evidence require a deliberate search beyond the opening account. Authority statements aid reconciliation but still require their own references, qualifiers and ranks to be checked.
How to read it
Use the entry as an orientation point, then follow its citations and revision history. Names, dates and institutional relationships should be checked against the original record.
- Subject orientation
- Search vocabulary
- Locating named sources
The closest primary source, responsible institution and strongest cited specialist reference.
Three-step research path
- Establish the record: confirm the title “Wilhelm Adolf Becker”, its source revision and the description used here.
- Expand the search: follow Wilhelm Adolf Becker primary sources, Wilhelm Adolf Becker archive and Wilhelm research across catalogues and specialist indexes.
- Test the account: compare the strongest cited source with the responsible institution’s current record and note any disagreement.
Questions for further research
- Which source most directly establishes the central claim about “Wilhelm Adolf Becker”?
- Which cited source is closest to the event, object or claim?
- What terminology or title could unlock a more precise catalogue search?
Search terms from this dossier
This entry incorporates text from “Wilhelm Adolf Becker” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.