It is impossible to say unequivocally who Copernicus is. It is believed that this is a theorist, astronomer, mathematician, mechanic, economist, canon, humanist, who lived from 1473 to 1543. He is the alleged creator of the modern theory of planetary arrangement, according to which the Sun is at the center. However, information about his life and work is very contradictory, which does not allow an unambiguous answer to the question: "Who is Copernicus?" There is a strong possibility that it was a figurehead. The name Copernicus, moreover, could denote a whole group of innovators in the field of astronomy who were hiding from persecution. However, we will present the official biography of this scientist. You will find out who Copernicus is, according to the most common version. Sometimes there are several popular versions, and then we will list them all.
Date of birth, origin of Copernicus
Nicholas Copernicus, according to Polish historians of the 19th century, was born on February 2, 1473. This event took place in the Prussian city of Thorn(modern Torun, Poland). According to the astrological calculations of the teacher Galileo and Kepler (M. Mastlin), he was born at 4 hours 48 minutes. February 19, 1473 in the afternoon. This date is repeated by most modern scientific sources.
The future scientist's father is his namesake. There are many versions of who Copernicus Sr. is and what he did. He was either a merchant, or a peasant, or a doctor, or a brewer, or a baker. This man came from Krakow to Torun around 1460. In Torun, Nikolai's father became a respected man. He served for many years as an elected city judge. In addition, he was the bearer of the honorary title of the Dominican order "brother tertiary" (lay assistant to the monks belonging to this order).
What does the name Copernicus mean?
It is impossible to say exactly what the name Copernicus means, but historians believe that in the family of Nicholas, distant ancestors were copper merchants (in Latin, copper is "cuprum"). Another version is that the surname comes from the name of villages in Silesia that have the same name. Presumably they got their name from the dill that grew in the area (Polish for dill is "koper"). However, the exact location of these villages is unknown. Polish historians first discovered this surname in Krakow documents dating back to 1367. It is known that later its bearers were artisans of various professions, among them - coppersmith, stonemason, gunsmith, bathhouse attendant, watchman.
The fate of Nikolai's relatives
Nicholas Copernicus Sr. in Torunmarried Varvara Watzenrode, daughter of the president of the court. It is believed that the wedding took place before 1463. Four children were born in the family. Nikolai was the youngest of them.
In Poland, even today they indicate the house where Nicolaus Copernicus was allegedly born, whose biography we are interested in. This building, shown in the photo below, became an object of pilgrimage for many Poles at the end of the 18th century. Plaster and bricks from it are national relics that are kept in museums.
Children in the Copernicus family studied in their hometown, where they received a good education. Andrei, the older brother, born around 1464, accompanied Nicholas everywhere almost until his death (he died in 1518 or 1519). He helped him in his studies and religious career. In 1512, Andrei fell ill with leprosy, and A. Copernicus died a few years later. We will briefly tell about the fate of the sisters of our hero. The first, Varvara, was tonsured a monk in Kulm. She died around 1517. And Catherine left for Krakow with her husband, the merchant Bartholomew Gertner. After that, her traces are lost. And what about our hero, Nicolaus Copernicus? His biography and his discoveries are worthy of detailed study. First we will talk about the life path of Nicolaus Copernicus, and then about his achievements.
Parents death, uncle care
In 1483 Nikolai's father died of a transient illness (presumably the plague). Mother died in 1489. After her death, Luca Watzenrode, mother's brother (pictured below), took care of the family. He was a canon of the local diocese, and after some time became its bishop. Thisthe man was educated for that time. He was a master of the Krakow Jagiellonian University, as well as a doctor of canon law at another university - Bologna.
Teaching brothers Nikolai and Andrei
Soon followed in the footsteps of their uncle Andrew and Nicolaus Copernicus. The biography of our hero continues with a long period of study. After graduating from the city school (around 1491), the brothers went to the Jagiellonian University. Nikolai and Andrei chose the Faculty of Liberal Arts. In this educational institution, they joined the humanism that spread at that time. The university allegedly even preserved a certificate indicating the payment of tuition fees (for 1491) by Nikolaus Copernicus. After studying Latin, astronomy, mathematics and other sciences for 3 years, the brothers decided to leave Krakow without receiving a diploma. Perhaps they made such a decision due to the fact that the scholastic party, whose representatives belonged to the Hungarian community, won at the university in 1494.
Brethren are elected to the places of canons
Andrei and Nikolay intended to continue their studies in Italy. However, my uncle, who by this time had become Bishop of Ermeland, did not have extra funds for this. He advised his nephews to take the places of canons (members of the government chapter) in the diocese subordinate to him in order to receive the salary necessary for long-distance travel and study abroad. However, this plan was not implemented immediately - it was prevented by the brothers' lack of diplomas. Even strong protection did not help. Howeverless brothers in 1496 nevertheless went to study as lawyers at the University of Bologna. They were chosen in absentia to become canons in 1487, with a salary, as well as a 3-year leave to continue their education.
Continuing education at the University of Bologna
At the University of Bologna, Nicolaus Copernicus studied not only law, but also astronomy. His biography of this time is marked by his acquaintance with Dominic Maria di Navar. This is a teacher at the University of Bologna, a famous astrologer of that time. Copernicus, whose biography can only be reconstructed on the basis of indirect sources, in his future book allegedly mentions astronomical observations that he jointly made with his teacher. At the University of Bologna, Nicholas also learned the Greek language, which was quite popular among humanists, but aroused suspicion of heresy on the part of Catholic scholastics. In addition, he fell in love with painting - a painting has been preserved, which is considered a copy of a self-portrait made by Copernicus.
Lecturing in Rome, studying medicine
The brothers studied in Bologna for 3 years, again without a diploma. According to historians, for a short time Nicholas worked as a mathematics teacher in Rome, at the same time giving astronomical lectures to Alexander VI Borgia, the Pope, as well as to Italian scientists. However, there is no evidence for this opinion.
The brothers returned in 1501 for a short time to Frauenburg, to their duty station. They wanted to ask for a deferral to continue their studies. Having received it, the brothers wentstudy medicine at the University of Padua. They remained here until 1506 and again did not receive a diploma. However, in 1503, the brothers passed the exams externally at the University of Ferrara and became doctors of law.
Homecoming, Bishop's service
The Copernicans in 1506 returned to their homeland after graduation. By this time, Nikolai was already 33 years old, and Andrei was 42. At that time, it was considered normal to receive diplomas at this age. Moreover, many scientists recognized in the scientific community (for example, G. Gallilei) did not have diplomas. This did not stop them all from getting professorships.
Nicholas Copernicus, after a year of service as a canon in Frombork, became an adviser to the bishop (his uncle), and then the chancellor of the diocese. He helped his relative fight the Teutonic Order, which was headed in 1511 by Albrecht von Hohenzollern, his future renegade. Nicholas also helped in negotiating with Sigismund I, the Polish king, who was Albrecht's uncle. It is believed that Luke Watzelrode wanted to make Nicholas his successor. However, he did not have sufficient activity and ambition for this kind of activity.
Move to Fraenburg
Copernicus at this time began to create an astronomical theory. In February 1512, Bishop Luke Watzelrode died. Since that time, the sinecure of Copernicus ends. The bishop's chair is occupied by Fabian Losainen, a classmate of the brothers at the University of Bologna. Nikolai has to leave Lidzbarg. N. Copernicus returns to Frauenburg, where he becomes a canon of the cathedral. Tiedemann Giese, hissupporter and friend, becomes chancellor of the diocese. However, Nikolai's duties do not yet burden him very much. He was in charge of economic affairs and the collection of taxes. Around this time, his brother Andrey falls ill with leprosy and decides to leave for Italy.
Copernicus becomes famous
Continues his studies in astronomy Copernicus. The scientist acquires fame in this field as if at the end of the 15th century. His lectures become very popular, they are attended by Alexander VI Borgia, as well as Nicholas da Vinci. Historians note that Pope Leo X in 1514 asked the scientist what he thought about the calendar reform. Nicolaus Copernicus expressed his opinion in a letter to Paul of Middelburg, the papal curator of the matter. He advised to postpone this venture for some time, until he completed the creation of his theory (on which, by the way, Copernicus worked for 30 years). However, no written evidence has been found to prove this.
Nicholas Copernicus in autumn 1516 was elected to replace Tiedemann Giese. He becomes manager of the southern possessions belonging to the Diocese of Warmia. Giese, from that time on, has been the Bishop of Kulm. Copernicus, in connection with the new appointment, moves to Olsztyn for 4 years. Here he is forced to take up military craft - the troops of the Teutonic Order attack Warmia and capture part of it. And once they even besiege the residence of Copernicus himself. Nicholas returns to Frombork in 1521, after peace has been made with the Teutonic Order.
First treatise, proposals for monetary reform
It is believed that it was then that he createdhis first treatise, en titled "Small Commentary". This essay made his theory known in a narrow circle. Copernicus' proposals for the monetary reform of Prussia date back to 1528. It was then that he presented them at the Elbląg Diet.
The accusation against Copernicus
The Bishop of Warmia after the death of Ferber, which took place in 1537, becomes Johann Dantiscus, a former humanist and Epicurean. Subsequently, he became a hypocrite and a retrograde, and it was thanks to this that he made a religious career. A lot of grief and trouble brought Copernicus to his reign. Dantiscus allegedly accused Nicholas of immoral cohabitation with Anna Schilling, a married housekeeper. The woman was allegedly forbidden to appear in Frombork by a special decree of the bishop, as this dangerous person seduced the "venerable astronomer".
Last years of life, death
To Copernicus in 1539 comes I. Retik to study his theory. After some time, he published a book where a new theory was presented, and then published a book by his teacher.
Copernicus died on May 24, 1543. Death occurred after a stroke and the resulting paralysis of the right half of the body. In 1655, Pierre Gassendi wrote a biography, according to which, in the cold hands of Copernicus, his friends put the original of his book. Nicholas, according to modern historians, was buried in Frombork Cathedral (his photo is presented above). In 1581, a memorial plaque with a portrait was erected opposite his grave, and a monument to Nicholas is located near the cathedral.
Acts of Nicholas
N. Copernicus is best known as the creator of the heliocentric theory. However, he is also credited with many other activities inherent in the gifted and highly educated humanists of that time. Let us briefly describe the main discoveries of Copernicus.
Translated from Greek
In 1509, Nicholas, who was fluent in Greek, translated into Latin an essay of the 6th or 7th century. BC e. "Moral, rural and love letters of Theophylact Simokatta, scholastic". It is believed that the creator of this work was the last historian who belongs to the ancient tradition. Unfortunately, it is not known whether this translation was published, but its text is known. It is interesting that historians report that this correspondence with historical and mythical persons is filled with anachronisms and does not represent anything outstanding. However, this "naive" and "boring" "rubbish" for some reason delighted Copernicus, inspired Nikolai to translate. He dedicated his work to his uncle. In addition, the heirs of the case of Nicholas published other works of Theophylact Scholasticus.
Cartography lessons
And in this area Copernicus left his mark. He created a map of Prussia, which, unfortunately, has not been preserved. Using a self-made parallax ruler made of fir cones, Nikolai determined the latitude of Frauenburg with an accuracy of 3'. These sticks, called triquetra, are today at the University of Krakow. According to historians, at the end of the 16th century. this precious relicJohn Ganovius, Bishop of Warmia, handed over Tycho to Brahe through Elias Olai Cimber, the latter's disciple.
Other activities of Copernicus
During the administration of the lands of Warmia (from 1516 to 1520), Nicolaus Copernicus mastered the craft of a commander, military engineer and administrator. His occupation with public finance dates back to the end of the 1520s. In addition, they write that Nikolai was a famous doctor, treated artisans and peasants for free. Copernicus' discoveries allegedly even include his invention of the sandwich.
Small comment
The astronomical works of Nicolaus Copernicus are set out in three essays. Two of them were published only in the 19th century. The first essay is the "Small Commentary", which briefly outlines the theory of Nicholas. A copy of this manuscript was found in the Vienna Court Library in 1877 or 1878. And a few years later, in 1881, the same notebook was found with notes of Copernicus himself. It consists of 16 sheets and was found at Uppsala University, in its library. However, it is sometimes reported that she was discovered in Stockholm.
"Message of Copernicus against Werner" and "On the revolutions of the heavenly spheres"
"Epistle of Copernicus against Werner" - Nicholas's second time essay on astronomy. This is his letter to Bernard Wapowski, rector of the Krakow Cathedral. The work is doubly interesting, as it presents the author's chronological reasoning, which is based on an analysis of the precession of stars in accordance with medieval and ancient sources. In 1543 the main book was printedCopernicus, On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres. The place of publication of this work is either Regensburg or Nuremberg. It contains the results of the author's observations, as well as a catalog of 1025 stars, compiled by him himself.
Copernicus Theory
The ideas of this scientist were very bold for their time. The world of Copernicus radically differed from the generally accepted views of his predecessors and contemporaries. Nicholas rejected the geocentric system of the world, which was created by Ptolemy. At the time, this was a bold move, as this model was rarely questioned. She was supported by the then very influential Catholic Church. According to it, the center of the universe is the Earth, and the Sun, the sphere of fixed stars and all the planets revolve around it. The heliocentric system of Copernicus radically diverged from this concept. The scientist believed that the Earth, like other planets, moves around the Sun. Nikolai noted that the movement of the firmament, which we observe during the day, is a consequence of the movement of our planet around its axis. The discoveries of Copernicus are set forth by him in his work "On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres", which was published in the year of his death. The book was banned by the Catholic Church in 1616. Nevertheless, new ideas steadily made their way. The discovery made by Nicholas gave a powerful impetus to natural science. Many scholars subsequently turned to him.
So, we have outlined the biography and discoveries of Nicolaus Copernicus briefly. As you can see, there is only onethe degree of probability that certain facts from his life are true. Recreating the biography of people who lived long before us is always difficult. However, we have tried to present the most probable information about such a person as Copernicus. Biography and his discoveries are still the subject of study by historians. Perhaps after a while they will be able to get more accurate information.
