Johannes Virdung

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Johann or Johannes Virdung of Hasfurt was a celebrated astrologer of the early sixteenth century.[1] He had an official position at Heidelberg, at the court of the Elector Palatine. He wrote various works under generic names (Prognosticon, Practica), including a millennarian work, Practica von dem Entchrist.[2][3][4]

He was a correspondent of Johannes Trithemius. One of the early sources for the Faust legend occurs in a letter of Trithemius to Virdung.[5]

It has been suggested[6] that Virdung was of the school of the astronomer Albertus de Brudzewo, and had studied with him and Johannes de Glogovia[7] in Cracow.

[edit] References

  • Max Steinmetz (1986), Johann Virdung von Hassfurt, sein Leben und seine astrologischen Flugschriften, in Astrologi hallucinati, stars at the end of the world in Luther's time
  • Lynn Thorndike Johann Virdung of Hassfurt again Isis 25, 1936, p. 363; Faust and Johann Virdung of Hassfurt, Isis 26, 1936/37, p. 321; Another Virdung Manuscript, Isis 34, 1942/43, p. 291; Johann Virdung of Hassfurt: dates of birth and death, Isis 37, 1947, p. 74


[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Dates given as c.1465-c.1535.[1].
  2. ^ Around 1510, according to this PDF by Denis Crouzet. Published 1525, title page.
  3. ^ An early work is the Prognosticon printed 1490. It was followed by others (1492, 1493, 1494, 1497 at least). (This PDF for details.)
  4. ^ There is the 1584 Joannis Hasfurti medici ac astrologi praestantissimi, the title of which implies Virdung had a reputation as physician; he may not have contributed more than his name.
  5. ^ 20 August 1507, [2] (German language). In connection with this, [3] describes Virdung as 'mathematician and court astrologer'.
  6. ^ By Kazimierz Piekarski
  7. ^ Jan Glogowczyk, Jan Glogau, Jan of Glogow (1455-1507). See pl:Jan z Głogowa.