Reinhold, Erasmus

1. Dates

Born: Saalfeld, Germany, 22 Oct 1511

Died: Saalfeld, 19 Feb 1553

Dateinfo: Dates Certain

Lifespan: 42

2. Father

Occupation: Scribe/Amanuensis

A long time secretary to an abbot.

No information on financial status.

3. Nationality

Birth: Saalfeld, Germany

Career: Germany

Death: Saalfeld, Germany

4. Education

Schooling: Wittenberg

Information is sketchy. His name is inscribed in the Dean's book at the University of Wittenberg for 1530. It is probable he studied under Milichius. No mention of any degree is made. From what follows, I nevertheless assume one.

5. Religion

Affiliation: Lutheran : Lutheran (assumed)

6. Scientific Disciplines

Primary: Astronomy

7. Means of Support

Primary: Academia

1536, appointed professor of mathematicum superiorum (astronomy) at University of Wittenberg.

Elected dean of the college of arts in 1540-1, and dean of the college of philosophy in 1549.

1549-50, rector.

1552, fled the plague to his hometown of Saalfeld, where he died.

8. Patronage

Types: Eccesiastic Official, Court Official

Philip Melanchton seems to have been of some help to Reinhold. He appointed Reinhold, and was helpful in getting support from the Duke of Prussia.

Duke Albrecht of Prussia acted as Reinhold's patron, paying the printing costs of the Prutenic Tables (Prutenic stood both for Albrecht and Copernicus).

9. Technological Involvement

Types: None

10. Scientific Societies

Memberships: None

Sources

1. Guenther, "Reinhold," Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie, 28, (Leipzig, 1889), 77-9. [ref. CT1053.A4 v.28] Fortsetzungen und Ergaenzungen zu C.G. Joechers allgemeinen Gelehrten-Lexikon, 6, (Bremen, 1819), cols. 1722-3. [ref. Z1010.J64 Suppl.]

Not Available and Not Consulted

1. Ernst Koch, "Magister Erasmus Reinhold aus Saalfeld" in Saalfelden Weihnachtsbuchlein (Saalfeld, 1908), pp. 3-16.
2. Evidently this is a rare pamphlet. A copy is known to exist in the Zinner collection, Malcolm Love Library, California State University, San Deigo.

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.