Nicolaus Zinzendorf

Nikolaus Ludwig, Imperial Count von Zinzendorf und Pottendorf
Nikolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf
Born	26 May 1700 Dresden, Electorate of Saxony, Holy Roman Empire
Died	9 May 1760(1760-05-09) (aged 59) Herrnhut, Electorate of Saxony, Holy Roman Empire
Occupation	Bishop of Moravian Church
Spouse(s)	Erdmuthe Dorothea of Reuss-Ebersdorf (died 1756) Anna Nitschmann (died 17 June 1760)

Nikolaus Ludwig, Reichsgraf von Zinzendorf und Pottendorf (26 May 1700 – 9 May 1760) was a German religious and social reformer, bishop of the Moravian Church and founder of the Herrnhuter Brüdergemeine. He was called Ludwig or Brother Ludwig by his intimates, never 'Nicolaus'.

He was a major figure of the 18th century Protestantism, notable for providing shelter for the German-speaking Moravian exiles at Herrnhut. This settlement was influenced by his Pietist ideas from the Lutheran faith he was brought up in. Nowadays, the Moravian Church remains heavily shaped by Zinzendorf, in addition to its Hussite origin.

Born at Dresden, Zinzendorf was often influenced by strong and vehement feelings, and he was easily moved both by sorrow and joy. He was a natural orator, and though his dress was simple his personal appearance gave an impression of distinction and force. His projects were often misunderstood. In 1736, he was banished from Saxony, but in 1749 the government rescinded its decree and begged him to establish within its jurisdiction more settlements like that at Herrnhut.

He is commemorated as a hymnwriter and a renewer of the church by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on their Calendar of Saints and on the liturgical calendar of the Episcopal Church (USA) on 10 May.

The Zinzendorf family belonged to one of the most ancient of noble families in Lower Austria. They were feudal lords over many places in the Wachau area of the Danube Valley. Their seat was in Karlstetten, Lower Austria. Family members occupied many important positions in the imperial household, at the Reformation they became Lutherans. Among the Zinzendorf ancestors was the Emperor Maximillian I. Zinzendorf's great grandfather was made an Imperial Count.