Who is Copernicus? Nikolai Copernicus: biography, discoveries

It is impossible to say unequivocally who Copernicus is. It is believed that this is a theorist, an astronomer, a humanist who lived from 1473 to 1543. He is the alleged creator of the modern theory of the planetary device, according to which the Sun is in the center. However, information about his life and activities is very contradictory, which does not allow to unequivocally answer the question: "Who is Copernicus?" There is a high probability that this was a front man. The name of Copernicus, moreover, could designate a whole group of innovators in the field of astronomy, which were hiding from the persecution. However, we will present an 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 quote them all.

Date of birth, origin of Copernicus

Nikolai Copernicus, according to the information of Polish historians of the 19th century, was born in 1473, on February 2. This event occurred in the Prussian town of Thorne (modern Toruń, Poland). According to the astrological calculations of the teacher Galileo and Kepler (M.Mastlin), he was born at 4:48. The afternoon of February 19, 1473. It is this date that repeats most scientific sources of our time.

The father of the future scientist is his namesake. There are many versions of who Copernicus is, the older one and what he did. He was either a merchant, a peasant, a doctor, a brewer, or a baker. This man came from Krakow to Torun around 1460. In Torun, Nicholas'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 of the Tertiary" (a mundane assistant belonging to this order of the monks).

What does the name Copernicus mean?

It is impossible to say exactly what the name Copernicus means, however, historians believe that in the family of Nicholas distant ancestors were traders in copper (in Latin copper - "cuprum"). Another version - the surname comes from the name of the villages in Silesia, having the same name. Presumably they got their name from dill, which grew up in the vicinity (in Polish fennel - "koper"). However, the exact location of these villages is unknown. Polish historians first discovered this name in the Cracow documents relating to 1367. It is known that later its carriers were artisans of various professions, among them - a copper-worker, a stonemason, a gunsmith, a bath-attendant, a watchman.

The fate of Nicholas's relatives

Nicolaus Copernicus, the elder in Torun, married Varvara Watsenroda, the daughter of the chairman of the court. It is believed that the wedding took place until 1463. Four children were born in the family. Nicholas was the youngest of them.

In Poland, and today indicate the house, where allegedly born Nikolai Copernicus, whose biography interests us. This building, shown in the photo below, at the end of the 18th century became the object of pilgrimage of many Poles. Stucco and bricks from it - national relics, which are stored in museums.

Children in the family of Copernicus studied in their native city, where they received a good education. Andrew, the elder brother, born around 1464, accompanied Nikolai almost everywhere until his death (he died in 1518 or 1519). He helped him in his studies and religious career. In 1512, Andrew fell ill with leprosy, and a few years later died A. Copernicus. Briefly tell about the fate of the sisters of our hero. The first, Varvara, was tonsured as a monk in Kulma. She died about 1517, and Catherine went to Krakow with her husband, merchant Bartholomew Gertner. After that her tracks are lost. And what about our hero, Nikolai Copernicus? Biography and its discoveries are worthy of detailed study. First we will tell about the life of Nikolai Copernicus, and then - about his achievements.

The death of parents, the care of their uncles

In 1483 Nicholas's father died of a transient illness (presumably, a plague). Mother died in 1489. After her death, Luca Watsenroda, her mother's brother, took care of the family (pictured below). He was the canon of the local diocese, and after a while became its bishop. This man was educated by that time. He was a master of Cracow Jagiellonian University, and also a doctor of canon law at another university - Bologna.

The training of the brothers Nikolai and Andrey

Soon followed in the footsteps of his uncle Andrew and Nikolai Copernicus. Biography of our hero continues a long period of study. After the end of the city school (around 1491) the brothers went to Jagiellonian University. Nikolay and Andrew chose the Faculty of Liberal Arts. In this educational institution they joined the humanism that was spreading at that time. The university allegedly even retained a certificate showing the payment for tuition (for 1491) by Nicolaus Copernicus. Having studied for 3 years of Latin, astronomy, mathematics and other sciences, the brothers decided to leave Krakow without obtaining a diploma. Perhaps, they made such a decision because the University was defeated in 1494 by the scholastic party, whose representatives belonged to the Hungarian community.

Brothers choose the canons

Andrei and Nikolay intended to continue their studies in Italy. However, the uncle, who by this time had become Bishop of Ermeland, had no extra means for this. He advised the nephews to take the place of the canons (members of the government chapter) in the diocese subordinate to him in order to receive the salaries necessary for distant travel and study abroad. However, this plan was not implemented immediately - he was prevented by the lack of diplomas of brothers. Even the strong patronage did not help. Nevertheless, the brothers in 1496 still went to study for lawyers at the University of Bologna. They were elected in absentia to the canonists' places in 1487, with the provision of salaries, and a 3-year leave to continue their education.

Continuing education at the University of Bologna

At the University of Bologna, he studied not only the law, but also astronomy, the scholar Nikolai Copernicus. His biography of this time was marked by an acquaintance with Dominic Maria di Navar. This is a teacher at the University of Bologna, a famous astrologer of the time. Copernicus, whose biography can be recreated only on the basis of indirect sources, in his future book allegedly mentions the astronomical observations that he shared with his teacher. At the University of Bologna, Nicholas learned Greek, which was quite popular with humanists, but it aroused suspicions of heresy from the Catholic scholastics. In addition, he fell in love with painting - preserved picture, which is considered a copy of Copernicus self-portrait.

Reading lectures 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, reading at the same time and astronomical lectures to Alexander VI Borgia, the Pope, and Italian scientists. However, there is no evidence of this opinion.

The brothers in 1501 returned for a short time to Frauenburg, to the place of service. They wanted to ask for a postponement to continue their studies. After receiving it, the brothers went to study medicine at the University of Padua. They stayed here until 1506 and again received no diploma. However, in 1503 the brothers passed examinations externally at the University of Ferrara and became doctors of law.

Return home, service from the bishop

In 1506 the Copernicus returned to their homeland after graduation. Nicholas by this time was already 33 years old, and Andrei - 42. At that time to receive diplomas at this age was considered normal. Moreover, many scientists, recognized in the scientific community (for example, G. Galliley), did not have diplomas. This did not prevent them all from receiving professorial chairs.

Nikolai Copernicus, after a year in the service of the canon in Frombork, became counselor to the bishop (his uncle), and then the chancellor of the diocese. He helped his relative to fight the Teutonic Order, which was led in 1511 by Albrecht von Hohenzollern, his future renegade. Nicholas also helped in the negotiations with Sigismund I, the Polish king, who was Uncle Albrecht. It is believed that Luke Watselrode wanted to make Nikolai his successor. However, he did not have enough activity and ambition for this kind of activity.

Moving to Fraeenburg

Copernicus at this time began to create an astronomical theory. In February 1512, Bishop Luca Watselrode died. From that time, the Coppernikov Sinekura ends. The chair of the bishop is Fabian Losinen, a brother-in-law of the Bologna University. Nicholas has to leave Lidzbarg. N. Copernicus returns to Frauenburg, where he becomes the canon of the cathedral. Tideman Giese, his supporter and friend, becomes chancellor of the diocese. However, Nikolay's duties are not very burdensome yet. He was in charge of economic affairs and tax collection. Around this time, his brother Andrei becomes leprosy and decides to leave for Italy.

Copernicus becomes famous

Continues his studies of 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 visited by Alexander VI Borgia, as well as Nikolay da Vinci. Historians point out that Pope Leo X in 1514 asked the scientist what he thought about the calendar reform. Nicholas Copernicus expressed his opinion in a letter to Pavel Middelburg, the papal curator of this question. He advised for a while to postpone this venture, until he completed the creation of his theory (over which, incidentally, Copernicus worked 30 years). However, there is no written evidence proving this.

Nicholas Copernicus in the autumn of 1516 elected in place of Tidemann Giza. He becomes the administrator of the southern possessions belonging to the Warmia diocese. And Gizee from this time on holds the post of Kulma bishop. Copernicus in connection with the new appointment moved to Olsztyn for 4 years. Here he is forced to engage in military trade - the troops of the Teutonic Order attack Warmia and capture part of it. And one day they besiege even the residence of Copernicus himself. Nicholas returned to Frombork in 1521, after the peace was concluded with the Teutonic Order.

The first treatise, proposals for monetary reform

It is believed that it was then that he created his first treatise called "Small Commentary." This work made his theory known in a narrow circle. The proposals of Copernicus on the monetary reform of Prussia are referred to in 1528. It was then that he expounded them at the Elbląg Sejm.

The charge brought against Copernicus

The Warmian bishop after Ferber's death, held in 1537, becomes Johann Dantisk, a former humanist and epicurean. Subsequently, he became a prude and a retrograde, and it was thanks to this that he made a religious career. A lot of grief and trouble brought Copernicus his reign. Dantisk allegedly accused Nicholas of immoral cohabitation with Anna Schilling, a married housekeeper. The woman was allegedly banned from appearing in Frombork as a special decree of the bishop, since this dangerous person seduced the "respectable astronomer."

The last years of life, death

To Copernicus in 1539 I.Retik comes to study his theory. After a while he published a book where a new theory was presented, and then published a book of his teacher.

Copernicus died on May 24, 1543. Death occurred after a stroke and paralysis of the right half of his body. In 1655, Pierre Gassendi wrote a biography, according to which in the cooling hands of Copernicus his friends invested the original of his book. Nicholas, as modern historians believe, was buried in Frombork Cathedral (photo above). In 1581, opposite his grave is a memorial plaque with a portrait, and near the cathedral is a monument to Nicholas.

The Acts of Nicholas

N. Copernicus is known, first of all, as the creator of the heliocentric theory. However, he is credited with many other occupations that are inherent in the gifted and highly educated humanists of the time. We describe briefly the main discoveries of Copernicus.

Translation from Greek

In 1509, Nicholas, who was fluent in Greek, translated into Latin the 6th or 7th century work. BC. E. "Moral, rural and love letters of Theophylactus Simokatta, scholasticism." It is believed that the creator of this work was the last historian, which refers to the ancient tradition. Unfortunately, it is not known whether this translation was published, but the 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" somehow admired Copernicus, inspired Nicholas to translate. He devoted his work to his uncle. In addition, the heirs of the Nicholas case published other works of Theophylactus Scholastic.

Cartography lessons

And in this area Copernicus left its mark. He created a map of Prussia, which, unfortunately, was not preserved. Using a self-made parallactic ruler made from spruce cones, Nikolai determined, to within 3 ', the latitude of Frauenburg. These sticks, called "trikvetr", are now in Krakow University. According to the opinion of historians, at the end of the 16th century, This precious relic, John Ganowiy, the Warmian bishop, transmitted to Tycho Brahe via Elias Olai Cimber, the disciple of the latter.

Other Copernican lessons

During the management of the lands of Warmia (from 1516 to 1520), Nikolai Copernicus mastered the craft of the commander, military engineer and administrator. His occupation of public finances is attributed to the end of 1520-. In addition, they write that Nikolai was a famous doctor, he treated artisans and peasants for free. The discoveries of Copernicus allegedly include even the invention of a sandwich.

"Small comment"

Three works contain the astronomical works of Nicholas Copernicus. Two of them were published only in the 19th century. The first work is a "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. A few years later, in 1881, was found the same notebook with the records of Copernicus himself. It consists of 16 sheets and was found at Uppsala University, in its library. However, it is sometimes reported that it was found in Stockholm.

"The Epistle of Copernicus v. Werner" and "On the Appeals of the Celestial Spheres"

"The Epistle of Copernicus v. Werner" is Nikolai's second work on astronomy. This is his letter to Bernard Wapowski, rector of the Cathedral of Krakow. The work is interesting doubly, since it presents chronological reasoning of the author, which are based on the analysis of the precession of stars in accordance with medieval and ancient sources. In 1543 the main book of Copernicus "On the Appeals of the Celestial Spheres" was printed. The place of publication of this work is indicated by Regensburg, then Nuremberg. It contains the results of the author's observations, as well as a catalog of 1025 stars, composed by himself.

Theory of Copernicus

The ideas of this scientist were very bold for their time. The world of Copernicus was fundamentally different from the generally accepted views of its predecessors and contemporaries. Nicholas rejected the geocentric system of the world, which Ptolemy created. At that time, it was a bold move, as this model was rarely questioned. It was supported by a very influential Catholic Church at the time. According to her, the center of the universe is the Earth, and the Sun, the sphere of fixed stars and all planets revolve around it. The heliocentric system of Copernicus radically disagreed with these concepts. The scientist believed that the Earth, like other planets, moves around the Sun. Nikolai noted that the movement of the celestial vault, which we observe during the day, is a consequence of the movement of our planet around the axis. The discoveries of Copernicus are set out by him in the work "On the Appeals of the Celestial Spheres," which was published in the year of his death. The book was banned in 1616 by the Catholic Church. Nevertheless, new ideas have steadily paved their way. The discovery made by Nicholas gave a powerful impetus to natural science. Many scientists subsequently turned to him.

So, we outlined the biography and discoveries of Nicholas Copernicus briefly. As you understand, there is only a certain 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 tried to state the most likely information about such a man as Copernicus. Biography and its discoveries are still subject to study by historians. Perhaps after some time they will be able to get more accurate information.