The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Becker, Wilhelm Gottlieb

BECKER, Wilhelm Gottlieb, German writer on art antiquities: b. Oberkallenberg, Saxony, 4 Nov. 1753; d. Dresden, 3 June 1813. Graduating from the University of Leipzig, he was appointed professor at the Dresden Ritterakademie in 1782. In 1795 he became director of the Dresden Gallery of Antiques and the Coin Cabinet. In 1805 he was also given charge of the famous Green Vault. His chief work is ‘Taschenbuch zum geselligen Vergnügen’ (Leipzig 1791-1814). He was also the author of ‘Erholungen’ (Leipzig 1796-1810); ‘Augusteum’ (Dresden 1805-09).