Ludwig Crocius

Ludwig Crocius (also Ludovicus Crocius) (29 March 1586 – 7 December 1653 or 1655) was a German Calvinist minister. He was a delegate at the Synod of Dort and professor of theology and philosophy in Bremen.

Ludwig Crocius was born in Laasphe, the son of Paul Crocius (1551–1607), at one time tutor to the sons of the counts of Nassau-Dillenburg and Wittgenstein-Berleburg and from 1583 minister and Superintendent in Laasphe, and author of a book of Protestant martyrology Groß Matyrbuch und Kirchenhistorien (1606); Johann Crocius was his younger brother. His grandfather Matthias Crocius (1479-1557) had been a minister in Zwickau, and close to Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon.

Ludwig Crocius studied at Herborn Academy, and then from 1603 theology at the University of Marburg where he graduated M.A. in 1604. On 5 September 1607 his father died, vacating his position as preacher and inspector of the county of Katzenelnbogen in Langenschwalbach; Ludwig Crocius succeeded him, but in 1608 he asked leave from Moritz of Hesse-Kassel for further study.

Crocius went to the universities in Bremen, Marburg and Basel. On 4 April 1609 he graduated D.D.in Basel, and travelled on to Geneva, in order to study there further. From Geneva he returned to Bremen and the St. Martini church as first preacher and teacher of philosophy and theology professor at the Gymnasium Illustre, from 1610.

He turned down later offers of positions made by John Sigismund, Elector of Brandenburg (1615) and the Landgrave Moritz of Hesse-Kassel (1618), and also a chance to become General superintendent for Silesia. From 1630 to 1639 and from 1647 to his death he was a pro-rector at the High School Illustre. He corresponded with Samuel Hartlib and John Dury, and with Gerardus Vossius.

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