Theodor Zwinger
Encyclopedia
Theodor Zwinger the Elder (August 2, 1533 – March 10, 1588) was a Swiss
physician and humanist
scholar. He made significant contributions to the emerging genres of reference and travel literature. He was the first distinguished representative of a prominent early modern Basel academic family.
(Herbster) the famed humanist printer. After Zwinger’s father’s death, Christina married the noted humanist Conrad Lycosthenes
(Wolffhart).
Zwinger studied at universities in Basel
, Lyon
, and Paris
before taking a doctorate in medicine at the University of Padua
with Bassiano Landi, the successor of Johannes Baptista Montanus
. In Paris he studied with the iconoclastic philosopher Petrus Ramus
. He joined the faculty of the University of Basel as a member of the consilium facultatis medicae from 1559. At Basel he held successively chairs in Greek (1565), Ethics (1571), and finally theoretical medicine (1580). While originally hostile to Paracelsus
, in his later career he took an interest in Paracelsian medical theory for which he experienced some hostility. He associated with Paracelsians such as Thomas Moffet and Petrus Severinus.
Zwinger was the editor of the early encyclopedia Theatrum Humanae Vitae (editions 1565, 1571, 1586, 1604). The work is considered "perhaps the most comprehensive collection of knowledge to be compiled by a single individual in the early modern period." He was able to draw on the knowledge base of his stepfather Conrad Lycosthenes in compiling the Theatrum Humanae Vitae.
Zwinger’s son, Jakob Zwinger, briefly served as his successor as editor of the Theatrum. His descendant Theodor Zwinger the Younger (1597-1654) was a prominent preacher and theology professor.
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
physician and humanist
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....
scholar. He made significant contributions to the emerging genres of reference and travel literature. He was the first distinguished representative of a prominent early modern Basel academic family.
Life and work
Zwinger was the son of the furrier Leonhard Zwinger who had become Basel citizen in 1526. His mother was Christina Herbster, the sister of Johannes OporinusJohannes Oporinus
Johannes Oporinus was a humanist printer in Basel, the son of the painter Hans Herbst- Life :...
(Herbster) the famed humanist printer. After Zwinger’s father’s death, Christina married the noted humanist Conrad Lycosthenes
Conrad Lycosthenes
Conrad Lycosthenes was an Alsatian humanist and encyclopedist.-Life:He was born in Rouffach in Alsace on August 8, 1518, the son of Theobald Wolffhart and Elizabeth Kürsner, sister of the Protestant theologian Conrad Pellicanus...
(Wolffhart).
Zwinger studied at universities in Basel
University of Basel
The University of Basel is located in Basel, Switzerland, and is considered to be one of leading universities in the country...
, Lyon
University of Lyon
The University of Lyon , located in Lyon and Saint Etienne, France, is a center for higher education and research comprising 16 institutions of higher education...
, and Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
before taking a doctorate in medicine at the University of Padua
University of Padua
The University of Padua is a premier Italian university located in the city of Padua, Italy. The University of Padua was founded in 1222 as a school of law and was one of the most prominent universities in early modern Europe. It is among the earliest universities of the world and the second...
with Bassiano Landi, the successor of Johannes Baptista Montanus
Johannes Baptista Montanus
Johannes Baptista Montanus is the Latinized name of Giovanni Battista Monte, or Gian Battista da Monte, one of the leading humanist physicians of Italy. Montanus promoted the revival of Greek medical texts and practice, producing revisions of Galen as well as of Islamic-influenced medical texts by...
. In Paris he studied with the iconoclastic philosopher Petrus Ramus
Petrus Ramus
Petrus Ramus was an influential French humanist, logician, and educational reformer. A Protestant convert, he was killed during the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre.-Early life:...
. He joined the faculty of the University of Basel as a member of the consilium facultatis medicae from 1559. At Basel he held successively chairs in Greek (1565), Ethics (1571), and finally theoretical medicine (1580). While originally hostile to Paracelsus
Paracelsus
Paracelsus was a German-Swiss Renaissance physician, botanist, alchemist, astrologer, and general occultist....
, in his later career he took an interest in Paracelsian medical theory for which he experienced some hostility. He associated with Paracelsians such as Thomas Moffet and Petrus Severinus.
Zwinger was the editor of the early encyclopedia Theatrum Humanae Vitae (editions 1565, 1571, 1586, 1604). The work is considered "perhaps the most comprehensive collection of knowledge to be compiled by a single individual in the early modern period." He was able to draw on the knowledge base of his stepfather Conrad Lycosthenes in compiling the Theatrum Humanae Vitae.
Zwinger’s son, Jakob Zwinger, briefly served as his successor as editor of the Theatrum. His descendant Theodor Zwinger the Younger (1597-1654) was a prominent preacher and theology professor.
Zwinger's works
- Theatrum Vitae Humanae — an early encyclopediaEncyclopediaAn encyclopedia is a type of reference work, a compendium holding a summary of information from either all branches of knowledge or a particular branch of knowledge....
- Methodus Apodemica — an early example of travel literature
Further reading
- Gilly, Carlos. "Zwischen Erfahrung und Spekulation: Theodor Zwinger und die religiöse und kulturelle Krise seiner Zeit." Basler Zeitschrift für Geschichte und Altertumskunde 77 (1977): 57-137 & 79 (1979): 125-233 (German).
External links
- Latin biography by Melchior Adam, 1620
- http://www.digitale-sammlungen.de/index.html?c=autoren_index&l=de&ab=Zwinger%2C+TheodorWorks of Theodor Zwinger at the Munich Digitization CenterMunich Digitization CenterMunich Digitization Center is an institution dedicated to digitalization, Online publication and the long-term archival preservation of the holdings of the Bavarian State Library and other cultural heritage institutions. It was founded in 1997 under the leadership of Mark Brantl...
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