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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.

     
©1995 Al Van Helden
Last updated
 
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