Johannes Werner

Werner was a German mathematician, parish priest, and instrument maker. He studied at the prominent University of Ingolstadt (founded 1472) and later became a priest in the Christian faith.

From 1497 until his death in 1522, Werner held various positions in the churches of Nuremberg, which was a centre for learning, mathematical theory, and printing. He was able to devote considerable time to scientific writing, and also produced instruments including astrolabes, clocks, and sundials.

Werner published his new translation of Claudius Ptolemy’s ‘Geographia' in 1514, together with a commentary and a detailed treatise on map projections. You can find out about Ptolemy here.

Much of Werner’s writing was inspired by the work of German mathematician and astronomer Johannes Regiomontanus. A copy of Regiomontanus' seminal work, 'Epitome of the Almagest' (1496) is also in The Sunderland Collection.

Image source: Public domain via Wikimedia Commons