Born in Feldkirch, Austria to the town physician, Rheticus was exposed to science throughout his childhood. However, in 1528, his father was tried and convicted on a charge of sorcery, and subsequently beheaded. This family tragedy did not discourage Rheticus, for he continued his studies and ultimately received his degree from the University of Wittenberg on 27 April 1536. Shortly thereafter, through the influence of Philip Melanchthon, the great German educational reformer and close associate of Martin Luther, Rheticus was appointed to a chair of mathematics and astronomy at the University. It was here that he became familiar and highly intrigued with Nicolaus Copernicus' theory that the Earth revolves around the Sun. So impressed was he over this new concept, that in 1539 Rheticus called upon Melanchthon once again to make arrangements to travel to Frauenberg in Ermland (now Frombork, Poland) to study with Copernicus for two years.

Deeply impressed by the...