Johann Alexander Brassicanus
Encyclopedia
Johann Alexander Brassicanus was a German Catholic humanist
, author and prominent professor.
, named Köl or Köll, Latinized Brassicanus (both meaning 'cabbage'), his father being Johannes Brassicanus, the Württemberg humanist who taught in the Latin school at Urach up to 1508, and later in the pedagogium at Tübingen
, but was chiefly known as a leader in the movement for the promotion of the humanities and as the author of a grammar then widely used, "Institutiones grammatiae", thirteen editions of which were issued between 1508 and 1519. From his father, who died at Wildaad in 1514, Johann Alexander received an excellent education, which brought his intellectual powers to at early maturity, enabling him to matriculate at the University of Tübingen
13 January 1514 and take his degree as Master of Arts
in 1517.
About this time he first gave evidence of his fertile poetic powers, and in 1518 he received the title of Poeta et orator laureatus. His coronation as poet must have taken place early in 1518, Emperor Maximilian
at the same time granting him a coat of arms
. The greatest humanists of the time kept in correspondence with Brassicanus and praised his intellectual powers. He lectured for a short time before the Faculty of Arts on the Latin poets; he also edited the eclogue
s of Calpurnius and Nemesianus which he had discovered.
When, after Bebel's death in 1516, a reaction once more set in against humanism, he availed himself of the first opportunity to absent himself temporarily from the scene of his former labours. In 1519 he attached himself to the suite of the royal orator Maximilian von Bergen, who was sent on various diplomatic missions by the king. After a sojourn in the Netherlands (1520) Brassicanus returned to Tübingen (1621) to pursue his study of law in connection with his work as a teacher. In this way he was brought into intimate relations with Ingolstadt
, he received there the degree of Doctor of Laws, also succeeding Reuchlin in the important chair of philology (1522).
His position in this stronghold of Catholicity soon became untenable, as he, like so many orthodox minds of the time who openly sympathized with the reforming activities of Martin Luther
, was suspected of being a confirmed Lutheran. At this juncture he found friends ready to assist him, in Johann Faber
and Johann Camers, who worked zealously for his appointment to the University of Vienna
, and whose influence helped to give a more orthodox tone to his opinions on religious questions. In 1524 he was called to the University of Vienna as professor of rhetoric, next receiving the professorship of the laws of the Empire, and not till 1528 the coveted chair of Greek literature, in addition to which he still retained that of jurisprudence. His disapproval of the Lutheran movement was now most pronounced, partially as a result of a more profound study of the Church Fathers
; he was particularly exercised over the disastrous influence of Lutheranism on educational activities.
On the appearance of the Turks before Vienna (1529) he fled his native city, where he remained for a considerable period of time. The succeeding years are marked by his editions of the Fathers and the classics. Often in poor health, he died at the prime of life at Vienna on 25 November 1539, leaving only a very extensive library, as his material resources had at all times been meagre.
Among his works of independent authorship are "Oratio ad principes post obitum Maximiliani" (1519); "Caesar" (1519); "In divum Carolum electum Romanorum regem" (1519); and other occasional poems and addresses. These do not rise above the average level of the occasional literature of humanism. No subtler meaning and no original or striking thoughts are concealed under the mediocre forms of expression. For the history of the University of Vienna, on the contrary, Brassicanus is of great importance, being numbered among the most vigorous representatives of the humanist movement.
Among the editions issued by Brassicanus, these are well known: "Luciani Samosatensis Traegoediae" (1527); Salviani, "De vero judicio et providentiâ" (Basle, 1530); Gennadius "De sinceritate christianae fidei dialogus seu de via salutis humanae" (Vienna, 1530); "Enchiridion de christianarum rerum memoria sive epitome historiae ecclesiasticae per Eusebium descriptae auctore Haymone" (Hagenau, 1531); "Salonii Dialogi duo" (ibid., 1532); Pothonis, "De statu domus Dei" and "De magna domo sapientiae" (ibid., 1532).
Humanism
Humanism is an approach in study, philosophy, world view or practice that focuses on human values and concerns. In philosophy and social science, humanism is a perspective which affirms some notion of human nature, and is contrasted with anti-humanism....
, author and prominent professor.
Biography
He was born probably at Cannstatt, 1500, as a member of an ancient family of KonstanzKonstanz
Konstanz is a university city with approximately 80,000 inhabitants located at the western end of Lake Constance in the south-west corner of Germany, bordering Switzerland. The city houses the University of Konstanz.-Location:...
, named Köl or Köll, Latinized Brassicanus (both meaning 'cabbage'), his father being Johannes Brassicanus, the Württemberg humanist who taught in the Latin school at Urach up to 1508, and later in the pedagogium at Tübingen
Tübingen
Tübingen is a traditional university town in central Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is situated south of the state capital, Stuttgart, on a ridge between the Neckar and Ammer rivers.-Geography:...
, but was chiefly known as a leader in the movement for the promotion of the humanities and as the author of a grammar then widely used, "Institutiones grammatiae", thirteen editions of which were issued between 1508 and 1519. From his father, who died at Wildaad in 1514, Johann Alexander received an excellent education, which brought his intellectual powers to at early maturity, enabling him to matriculate at the University of Tübingen
Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen
Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen is a public university located in the city of Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is one of Germany's oldest universities, internationally noted in medicine, natural sciences and the humanities. In the area of German Studies it has been ranked first among...
13 January 1514 and take his degree as Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in 1517.
About this time he first gave evidence of his fertile poetic powers, and in 1518 he received the title of Poeta et orator laureatus. His coronation as poet must have taken place early in 1518, Emperor Maximilian
Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor
Maximilian I , the son of Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor and Eleanor of Portugal, was King of the Romans from 1486 and Holy Roman Emperor from 1493 until his death, though he was never in fact crowned by the Pope, the journey to Rome always being too risky...
at the same time granting him a coat of arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
. The greatest humanists of the time kept in correspondence with Brassicanus and praised his intellectual powers. He lectured for a short time before the Faculty of Arts on the Latin poets; he also edited the eclogue
Eclogue
An eclogue is a poem in a classical style on a pastoral subject. Poems in the genre are sometimes also called bucolics.The form of the word in contemporary English is taken from French eclogue, from Old French, from Latin ecloga...
s of Calpurnius and Nemesianus which he had discovered.
When, after Bebel's death in 1516, a reaction once more set in against humanism, he availed himself of the first opportunity to absent himself temporarily from the scene of his former labours. In 1519 he attached himself to the suite of the royal orator Maximilian von Bergen, who was sent on various diplomatic missions by the king. After a sojourn in the Netherlands (1520) Brassicanus returned to Tübingen (1621) to pursue his study of law in connection with his work as a teacher. In this way he was brought into intimate relations with Ingolstadt
Ingolstadt
Ingolstadt is a city in the Free State of Bavaria, in the Federal Republic of Germany. It is located along the banks of the Danube River, in the center of Bavaria. As at 31 March 2011, Ingolstadt had 125.407 residents...
, he received there the degree of Doctor of Laws, also succeeding Reuchlin in the important chair of philology (1522).
His position in this stronghold of Catholicity soon became untenable, as he, like so many orthodox minds of the time who openly sympathized with the reforming activities of Martin Luther
Martin Luther
Martin Luther was a German priest, professor of theology and iconic figure of the Protestant Reformation. He strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with money. He confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel with his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517...
, was suspected of being a confirmed Lutheran. At this juncture he found friends ready to assist him, in Johann Faber
Johann Faber
Johann Faber was a Catholic theologian known for his writings opposing the Protestant Reformation and the growing Anabaptist movement.-Biography:...
and Johann Camers, who worked zealously for his appointment to the University of Vienna
University of Vienna
The University of Vienna is a public university located in Vienna, Austria. It was founded by Duke Rudolph IV in 1365 and is the oldest university in the German-speaking world...
, and whose influence helped to give a more orthodox tone to his opinions on religious questions. In 1524 he was called to the University of Vienna as professor of rhetoric, next receiving the professorship of the laws of the Empire, and not till 1528 the coveted chair of Greek literature, in addition to which he still retained that of jurisprudence. His disapproval of the Lutheran movement was now most pronounced, partially as a result of a more profound study of the Church Fathers
Church Fathers
The Church Fathers, Early Church Fathers, Christian Fathers, or Fathers of the Church were early and influential theologians, eminent Christian teachers and great bishops. Their scholarly works were used as a precedent for centuries to come...
; he was particularly exercised over the disastrous influence of Lutheranism on educational activities.
On the appearance of the Turks before Vienna (1529) he fled his native city, where he remained for a considerable period of time. The succeeding years are marked by his editions of the Fathers and the classics. Often in poor health, he died at the prime of life at Vienna on 25 November 1539, leaving only a very extensive library, as his material resources had at all times been meagre.
Works
His writings give no clear conception of his intellectual importance which his contemporaries found so noteworthy.Among his works of independent authorship are "Oratio ad principes post obitum Maximiliani" (1519); "Caesar" (1519); "In divum Carolum electum Romanorum regem" (1519); and other occasional poems and addresses. These do not rise above the average level of the occasional literature of humanism. No subtler meaning and no original or striking thoughts are concealed under the mediocre forms of expression. For the history of the University of Vienna, on the contrary, Brassicanus is of great importance, being numbered among the most vigorous representatives of the humanist movement.
Among the editions issued by Brassicanus, these are well known: "Luciani Samosatensis Traegoediae" (1527); Salviani, "De vero judicio et providentiâ" (Basle, 1530); Gennadius "De sinceritate christianae fidei dialogus seu de via salutis humanae" (Vienna, 1530); "Enchiridion de christianarum rerum memoria sive epitome historiae ecclesiasticae per Eusebium descriptae auctore Haymone" (Hagenau, 1531); "Salonii Dialogi duo" (ibid., 1532); Pothonis, "De statu domus Dei" and "De magna domo sapientiae" (ibid., 1532).