Georg Purbach
| Georg von Peuerbach | |
|---|---|
Georg von Peuerbach: Theoricarum novarum planetarum testus, Paris 1515
|
|
| Born |
May 30, 1423 Peuerbach near Linz |
| Died | April 8, 1461 (aged 37) Vienna |
| Nationality | Austrian |
| Fields | Astronomy |
| Institutions | University of Vienna |
| Alma mater | University of Vienna |
| Notable students | Regiomontanus |
Georg von Peuerbach (also Purbach, Peurbach, Purbachius) (born May 30, 1423 – April 8, 1461) was an Austrian astronomer, mathematician and instrument maker, best known for his streamlined presentation of Ptolemaic astronomy in the Theoricae Novae Planetarum.
Little is known of Peuerbach's life before he enrolled at the University of Vienna in 1446. He received his Bachelor of Arts in 1448. His curriculum was most likely composed primarily of humanities courses, as was usual at the time. His knowledge of astronomy probably derived from independent study, as there were no professors of astronomy at the University of Vienna during Peuerbach's enrollment.
From 1448 to 1451 Peuerbach traveled through central and southern Europe, most notably in Italy, giving lectures on astronomy. His lectures led to offers of professorships at several universities, including those at Bologna and Padua. During this time he also met Italian astronomer Giovanni Bianchini of Ferrara. He returned to the University of Vienna in 1453, earned his Masters of Arts, and began lecturing on Latin poetry.
In 1454 Peuerbach was appointed court astrologer to King Ladislas V of Bohemia and Hungary. It was in this capacity that Peuerbach first met Ladislas' cousin Frederick who was then serving as guardian to the 14-year-old king and who would later become Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor. Ladislas resided primarily in Prague and Vienna, allowing Peuerbach to maintain his position at the University of Vienna. During this time Peuerbach met Johannes Müller von Königsberg, better known as Regiomontanus. Müller was currently a student at the university and, after he graduated in 1452 at the age of 15, began collaborating extensively with Peuerbach in his astronomical work.
In 1457, following the assassination of two notable political figures, Ladislas fled Vienna. He died of Leukemia later that year. Rather than taking of service with either of Ladislas' Successors, Peuerbach accepted an appointment as court astrologer to Frederick III.
...
Wikipedia