Hontheim, Johann Nikolaus von (1701–1790)

German historian and theologian. He was dean of St Simeon's in Trier, Germany, 1732–79, and 1738–47 represented the interests of the archbishop-elector at Koblenz, Germany. From 1748 he was suffragan (assistant) bishop of Trier, and he was also pro-chancellor of the university. Under the pen-name of Febronius he discussed the limits of papal authority in what became a famous treatise. His three histories of Trier are extremely erudite works.