Petrus apianus biography

Peter Apian, Peter Bennewitz, and Peter Bienewitz, was a German humanist, known for his works in mathematics, astronomy and cartography.
Biography.
Petrus Apianus, also known as Peter Apian, Peter Bennewitz, and Peter Bienewitz, was a German humanist, known for his works in mathematics, astronomy and cartography.

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Biography

Petrus Apianus, also known as Peter Apian, Peter Bennewitz, and Peter Bienewitz, was one of four sons of Martin and Gertrud Bienewitz. He entered the University of Leipzig where he studied mathematics, astronomy and cosmography.

Perhaps we should indicate what the study of cosmography entailed. It was a broad science which set out to provide a mathematical basis for the position of everything in the universe. As such it required someone who specialised in the topic to be an expert in astronomy, geography, mapmaking, navigation, surveying, architecture, mathematical instruments, and sundials. In many ways these can be thought of as the applied mathematical disciplines of Apian's day, and we can certainly consider Apian as a leading applied mathematician. Apian excelled at mathematics and its 16th century applications, and after his studies at Leipzig he moved to Vienna where he continued to study the same broad collection of applied mathematical topics.

It is also worth noting that the early 16th century was an exciting time to be mapping the world. Vasco da Gama

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Petrus Apianus (also known as Peter Apian, Peter Bennewitz, Peter Bienewitz) was born in Leisnig, Saxony in 1495. He first studied mathematics, astronomy and the other branches of cosmography at Leipzig and then Vienna. Prior to Cosmographia (1524), Apianus published two cosmographical works, a compiled world map (Typus orbis universalis) and an accompanying geographical commentary. In 1527, Apianus was appointed Professor of Mathematics at the University of Ingolstadt. Perhaps his most celebrated work, the Astronomicon Caesareum, was presented to the Emperor Charles V in 1540. This sumptuous book provided a cosmographical introduction similar to that in the Cosmographia but in a more elaborate and elegant way. Apianus' relationship with Charles V dated to least the early 1530's when Apianus was granted an imperial privilege. However, it has been suggested the young emperor may have studied cosmography under Apianus even earlier still. Following the publication of the Astronomicon Caesareum, Apianus was appointed court mathematician to Charles V, and was knighted along

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Petrus Apianus

German astronomer, mathematician, and cartographer (1495–1552)

Petrus Apianus (April 16, 1495 – April 21, 1552),^[1] also known as Peter Apian, Peter Bennewitz, and Peter Bienewitz, was a German humanist, known for his works in mathematics, astronomy and cartography.^[2] His work on "cosmography", the field that dealt with the earth and its position in the universe, was presented in his most famous publications, Astronomicum Caesareum (1540) and Cosmographicus liber (1524). His books were extremely influential in his time, with the numerous editions in multiple languages being published until 1609. The lunar crater Apianus and asteroid 19139 Apian are named in his honour.^[2]

Life and work

Apianus was born as Peter Bienewitz (or Bennewitz) in Leisnig in Saxony; his father, Martin, was a shoemaker. The family was relatively well off, belonging to the middle-class citizenry of Leisnig. Apianus was educated at the Latin school in Rochlitz. From 1516–1519 he studied at the University of Leipzig; during this t