Nicolaus Copernicus: Feb. 19, 1473 - May 24, 1543

Though called the “father of modern astronomy,” Nicolaus Copernicus studied everything from mathematics to law to medicine. His wide-ranging interests were vital to his contribution to astronomy, however, as he was the first person to combine math, physics, and cosmology.

Early Years

Born in Poland, Copernicus was the youngest of four children--two boys and two girls. When Copernicus was 10, his father died, and Copernicus’s uncle, Lucas Watzenrode, a canon at Frauenburg Cathedral, became guardian to the four children. In 1488, Copernicus’s uncle sent him to the cathedral school of Wloclawek, and after three years he went on to the University of Krakow. At Krakow, Copernicus studied Latin, mathematics, astronomy, geography, and philosophy. He left after four years, and went on the University of Bologna to study canon law. In 1497, Copernicus’s uncle, by this time a bishop, had Copernicus appointed a canon, providing him with a comfortable income while he continued his studies.

Copernicus continued to study astronomy and mathematics, even while pursuing his canon law degree. In 1501 Copernicus was officially installed as canon of Ermland, but because he had not completed his degree, he requested a leave to pursue both law and medicine. After leaving college, he returned home, but took another leave, this one to act as his uncle’s physician. The job included not only medical care, but also serving as secretary and personal adviser. He still found time to study, however, and in 1509 published a Latin translation of poems by the obscure writer Theophylactus Simocattes. After the death of his uncle in 1512, Copernicus returned to his duties as canon, and also to his astronomical studies.

Copernicus as Astronomer

Around 1514, Copernicus introduced his idea of a sun-centered (heliocentric) universe, in a book titled “Commentariolus” (“Little Commentary”). It is believed he began writing “De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium” (“On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres“), a more complete explanation of his heliocentric theory, the following year, although it was not published until shortly before his death. The idea of a heliocentric universe was not new--both Aristarchus and Nicholas de Cusa has introduced similar theories. At the time, the prevailing theory was that put forth by Ptolemy, who drew from earlier, Earth-centered models. Copernicus’s theory differed in that he more completely worked out the mathematical details; this made his theory the first to combine physics, math, and cosmology into a complete system. Copernicus’s mathematical approach was not simpler than Ptolemy’s, but it required fewer assumptions. It also resolved a few celestial mysteries, including why Mercury and Venus are only observed close to the Sun and the apparent retrograde motion of Mars.

Even while Copernicus was writing and formulating theories, he still served as canon, though he had never become a priest. In fact, he refused to become a priest, despite threats from his bishop in February 1531 to discontinue his salary if he did not do so. In 1539, Copernicus took on the mathematician Rheticus as a student, and gave him his “De Revolutionibus” manuscript, from which to write a popular version of the heliocentric universe theory. It was published in 1540, under the title “Narratio Prima.” It was Rheticus who convinced Copernicus to publish his original manuscript, which was released in 1543. It is said that Copernicus didn’t see a printed version of the book until he was on his deathbed. He died of a cerebral hemorrhage shortly thereafter. Just as his theory was not the first to advocate a sun-centered universe, it also was not the final word on the structure of the solar system. Our understanding has continued to be refined, but Copernicus played an important role in changing our view of our world, and in leading a scientific revolution that encouraged a more critical attitude toward established principles.