Nicolaus Copernicus
- Born:
- 19 February 1473, Toruń, Royal Prussia, Kingdom of Poland
- Died:
- 24 May 1543, Frombork, Prince-Bishopric of Warmia, Royal Prussia, Kingdom of Poland
- Nationality:
- Polish
- Profession(s):
- Astronomer, Mathematician, Canon, Physician, Economist, Diplomat, Governor, Translator
Early Life and Education
- Born into a merchant family in Toruń.
- After his father's death, he was placed under the care of his maternal uncle, Lucas Watzenrode the Younger, later Prince-Bishop of Warmia.
- Studied at the University of Kraków (1491–1495), focusing on liberal arts, including astronomy and mathematics.
- Continued his studies in Italy at the University of Bologna (1496–1500) and the University of Padua (1501–1503), where he studied canon law and medicine.
- Received a doctorate in canon law from the University of Ferrara in 1503.
Career and Major Achievements
- Served as a canon at Frombork Cathedral from 1503 until his death.
- Acted as a physician and administrator for the chapter of Warmia.
- Developed his heliocentric theory, which placed the Sun at the center of the universe, challenging the long-held geocentric model.
- Published the Commentariolus, a brief outline of his heliocentric theory, circulating it among colleagues.
- Served as Governor of Warmia (1516-1519, 1520-1521), dealing with political and economic affairs, including monetary reform.
Notable Works
- Commentariolus: A brief manuscript outlining the main arguments of his heliocentric theory.
- De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium (On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres): His magnum opus, published in the year of his death, which presented a complete mathematical model for the heliocentric system.
- Translations of Greek poetry into Latin.
Legacy and Impact
Nicolaus Copernicus's heliocentric theory revolutionized astronomy and profoundly impacted the scientific revolution. His work challenged established dogma and laid the foundation for modern astronomy. Understanding the nuances surrounding Copernicus, and analyzing perspectives like those presented in a potential 'marek filipczyk copernicus biography,' is essential to fully appreciating his historical and scientific significance.