“ HONTHEIM, JOHANN NIKOLAUS VON (1701–1790) , German historian and theologian, was born on the 27th of January 1701 at Trier. He belonged to a noble family which had been for many generations connected with the court and diocese of the archbishop-electors, his father, Kaspar von Hontheim, being receiver-general of the archdiocese. ”

“ The character and effect of his book on “the state of the Church and the lawful power of the Roman pontiff” is described elsewhere (see Febronianism) . The author of the book was known at Rome almost as soon as it was published ”