Nicolaus Copernicus
- Born:
- February 19, 1473, Toruń, Kingdom of Poland
- Died:
- May 24, 1543, Frombork, Poland
- Nationality:
- Polish
- Profession(s):
- Astronomer, Mathematician, Canon Lawyer, Physician, Governor, Economist, Diplomat
Early Life and Education
- Born into a merchant family in Toruń, Royal Prussia, a region of the Kingdom of Poland.
- After his father's death, raised by his maternal uncle, Lucas Watzenrode the Younger, later Prince-Bishop of Warmia.
- Studied liberal arts at the University of Kraków (1491-1495).
- Continued studies in canon law at the University of Bologna (1496-1500).
- Studied medicine at the University of Padua (1501-1503).
- Received a doctorate in canon law from the University of Ferrara in 1503.
Career and Major Achievements
- Served as canon of Frombork Cathedral from 1512 until his death.
- Practiced medicine and provided administrative services for the cathedral chapter.
- Developed his heliocentric theory of the solar system, placing the Sun, rather than the Earth, at the center.
- Formulated the quantity theory of money, a significant contribution to economics.
- Successfully defended Olsztyn against the Teutonic Knights in 1520-1521 during the Polish-Teutonic War.
- Served as a diplomat for King Sigismund I of Poland.
- This "msdn wsiz copernicus biography" highlights his multifaceted career beyond just astronomy.
Notable Works
- Commentariolus (Little Commentary): An early, unpublished outline of his heliocentric theory.
- De revolutionibus orbium coelestium (On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres): His magnum opus, published in 1543, presenting a fully developed heliocentric model.
- De monetæ cudendæ ratione (On the Minting of Coin): A treatise on monetary reform.
Legacy and Impact
Nicolaus Copernicus's heliocentric theory revolutionized astronomy and profoundly impacted the Scientific Revolution. His work challenged established geocentric views and laid the foundation for modern astronomy and science. He is considered one of the most important figures in scientific history.