Thomas Schweicker

Thomas Schweickershausen ( born December 21, 1541 Schwäbisch Hall, † October 7, 1602 ibid; born according to other sources 1540) was an armless art writer.

Life and work

Thomas Schweickershausen was born in 1541 in the imperial city of Schwäbisch Hall, the son of the baker and councilors Hans Schweickershausen and his wife Dorothee. Probably due to a so-called amniotic constriction lacked both arms ( Amelie ). Despite his disability, he attended from the age of seven years, the school and changed the age of twelve to the Schwäbisch Hall Latin School. He was not only able to automatically everyday tasks, such as dressing and undressing or food and drink perform, but he learned, with the toes of his right foot to hold a quill pen and write.

He lived in the home of his brother David Schweickershausen on the Rosenbühl, where today there is a memorial plaque to him. His skills as a calligrapher ( fine writer ) he developed so much that he not only was able to earn his livelihood, but became a celebrity. Pictures welding thickener are reproduced in numerous publications and pamphlets of his time. Many visitors came to Schwäbisch Hall to see him and to acquire documents written by him. Among them was Emperor Maximilian II, who in 1570 visited the city and had a demonstration of welding thickener art. The Emperor was impressed and gave him " even personally aigner towel " three double ducats. 1584 made ​​him the Emperor get to Heidelberg, so that he might show his art before the court had gathered there; Schweickershausen remained until 1598 in Heidelberg, where he worked primarily as a painter. As a reward he received an imperial coat of arms letter among others.

Schweickershausen, the one called the " great miracle man of Schwäbisch Hall " remained celibate and died on October 7, 1602 at the age of 61 years. He was buried in the choir of St. Michael's Church, where to this day reminds me a grave stone at him. The Thomas Schweickershausen - Werkrealschule in Schwäbisch Hall is named after him.