1436-1476

German Astronomer and Mathematician

Johannes Regiomontanus played a key role in reforming astronomical studies in fifteenth-century Europe by emphasizing and acting on the need for new and improved observations over those of the ancients. He also introduced Arabic algebraic and trigonometric methods to Europe, thus providing a systematic basis for their further development.

Regiomontanus, whose real name was Johann Müller, was born on June 6, 1436, in Königsberg, Franconia. The name of his birthplace means "King's Mountain," and in accordance with the practice of the day his parents adopted the Latinized version of this name—Joannes de Regio monte—from whence Regiomontanus was derived. He studied dialectics at Leipzig sometime around 1448. He was then drawn to the University of Vienna by the reputation of the astronomer Georg von Purbach (1423-1461). Regiomontanus matriculated there in 1450 and after receiving his bachelor's (1452) and master's degrees (1457) joined the Vienna...