Johannes Hübner was born in Türchau near Zittau, Germany, on 15 April 1688. In 1691 Hübner achieved a master's degree. He went to the University of Leipzig in 1689 in order to teach history, geography and poetry. In company of other colleagues, Johannes Hübner published the first German encyclopedia under the title "Reales Staats-, Zeitungs- und Conversationslexikon". The "Biblische Historien" were read all over Germany and were even translated into many languages. He was seen as a committed teacher and was very successful in teaching geography and religious education. Aged 53 Johannes Hübner died in Hamburg on 21 May 1731.