Gomperz Theodor was born in 1832 in Brno, the son of a family of Germanic-Jewish gentry. He studied in Brno and Vienna. In 1853 he translated the philosophical writings of John Stuart Mill worked as editor between 1869 and 1880. In 1855 he was editor of the liberal Grenzboten. His scientific career began to decipher the papyri Herculaneum, most philosophical texts of the Epicurean school (Herkulanische Studien, 1865, two volumes). His international fame as a classical philologist was forged thanks to his translation and interpretation of Aristotle's Poetics. In 1873 he is professor of classical philology. In 1896 obtained the "badge of honor the art and science", which becomes part of the "imperial table." In 1901 becomes a member of the Upper House, and early retirement focuses on Greek thinkers. He died at age 80 in 1912, shortly after being offered on Plato teach at the Collège de France, Paris.