Johannes von Gmunden
John of Gmunden (John de Gamundia, * in 1380 /84, Gmunden, Upper Austria, † February 23, 1442 in Vienna ) was an Austrian mathematician and astronomer.
Biography
He was born in Gmunden in Austria and probably belonged to the family of the salt bailiff Friedrich Kraf ( f) t. He comes not as yet claimed by the earlier research, from Gmünd in Lower Austria or from Schwäbisch Gmünd in Baden- Württemberg. 1406 he received his doctorate at the University of Vienna to the Master. From 1408 he held lectures there on the Physics of Aristotle ( 1408), Meteora ( 1409, 1411 ), Peter Hispanus (1410 ) and Algorismus de minutiis ( 1412 ). John was also known that he clearly made his remarks with functional models and with his students anfertigte astronomical instruments made of cardboard. Thus, the students were able to function and use of the astrolabe to learn from him. After a serious illness in 1412, he also studied theology, from which he graduated with the degree of Bachelor 1416. His lectures he sat not continue from 1419, this time over Algorismus de integris.
Georg Tannstetter added in 1514 his edition of astronomical tables also a history of Viennese mathematician and astronomer at: Viri mathematici. This story also deals with Joannes de Gmunden, especially his writings and his students. John of Gmunden turned on planetary tables (1437 and 1440 ) and calendar. The calendar for the period 1439-1514 was widely read, even now are still 99 copies available, and was the first ever printed calendar. His successor at the Vienna University was founded in 1453 by Georg Peuerbach. He suggested the revision of the Alfonsine Tables, but not until his successor Peuerbach performed with his pupil Regiomontanus. John of Gmunden regarded as the founder of a school of astronomers, mathematicians and cartographers in Vienna (next to Henry of Long Stone ).
As a canon at St. Stephen's Cathedral, he was buried in this church. His astronomical, mathematical and astrological manuscripts he bequeathed to the University of Vienna, where they formed the basis of the later university library.
The asteroid ( 15955 ) Johannesgmunden was named in his honor.
Bibliography
- Kathrin Chlench, Beatriz Porres de Mateo, Rudolf Simek: Johannes von Gmunden - Personal bibliography. In: Rudolf Simek (ed.): Johannes von Gmunden - astronomer and mathematician. Fassbaender, Vienna 2006 ( Studia Medievalia Septentrionalia 12), 183-223.
Works
- Astrolabii qui primi mobilis motus deprehendur canons ( 1515)
- Hubert LL Busard (Editor) John de Gamundia: The treatise De sinibus, CHORDIS et arcubus of John of Gmunden, Austrian Academy of Sciences, memoranda of math - Naturwiss. Class, band 116/3, Springer Verlag ( in commission ), Vienna 1971