Maestlin, Michael

1. Dates

Born: Goepingen, Germany, 30 Sept 1550

Died: Tübingen, 20 Oct 1631

Dateinfo: Dates Certain

Lifespan: 81

2. Father

Occupation: A Merchant

No information on financial status.

3. Nationality

Birth: Goepingen, Germany

Career: Germany

Death: Tuebingen, Germany

4. Education

Schooling: Tübingen, M.A.

Attended monastery schools at Koenigsbronn and Herrenalb.

1568, matriculated at Tuebingen. Heard mathematics and astronomy lectures from Peter Apian.

1569, B.A., Tuebingen.

1571, M.A., Tuebingen, then entered theological course.

5. Religion

Affiliation: Lutheran : Lutheran

6. Scientific Disciplines

Primary: Astronomy

7. Means of Support

Primary: Acd;

Secondary: Church Life

1575-1580, appointed to the Lutheran pastorate in Backnang, near Stuttgart.

1580, appointed professor of mathematics, Univ. of Heidelberg.

1584-1631, professor of mathematics, Univ. of Tuebingen, replacing Apian who had been dismissed for refusing to sign Lutheran oath of religious allegiance.

Between 1588 and 1629, elected dean of Tuebingen arts faculty eight times.

8. Patronage

Type: Court

While a student he had been supported by a stipend from the Duke of Wuerttemberg, in order that he might be prepared for service in the Lutheran church.

Influence has to have been behind the professorial appointment, probably influence at court.

9. Technological Involvement

Type: None

He made most of his own astronomical instruments, but was not involved in any kind of instrument trade. I won't list this because it does not involve the development of a new instrument.

10. Scientific Societies

Memberships: None

Connections: taught and corresponded with Kepler.

Sources

1. Volker Bialas, "Maestlin," Neue deutsche Biographie, 15 (Berlin, 1987), 644-5.

Not Available and Not Consulted

1. Viktor Kommerell, "Michael Maestlin," Schwaebische Lebensbilder, 4 (Stuttgart, 1948), 86-100.
2. Karl Steiff, "Der Tuebingen Professor der Mathematik und Astronomie Michael Maestlin," Literarische Beilage des Staats-Anzeiger fuer Wuerttemberg (30 April 1892), 49-64.
3. J.G.F. von Bohnenberger, "Michael Maestlin," Wuerttembergische Vierteljahrsheft fuer Landesgeschichte, 12 (1903), 244-7.

Compiled by:

Richard S. Westfall

Department of History and Philosophy of Science

Indiana University

Note: the creators of the Galileo Project and this catalogue cannot answer email on geneological questions.