Johannes Mathesius

MATHESIUS, Johannes. b. Rochlitz, near Chemnitz, 24 June 1504; d. Joachimsthal (now Jáchimov), 7 October 1565. He was educated at Rochlitz and at the University of Ingolstadt, and later (1529-30) at Wittenberg, attracted there by reading some of Luther’s writings. In 1530 he was appointed as a junior teacher at Altenberg, and in 1532 Rektor of the Latin School in the mining town of Joachimsthal. He had a considerable interest in mining, geology, and metallurgy. In 1540, having decided to become a Lutheran pastor, he returned to Wittenberg to study theology. He was recommended to Luther by friends, and lived for a time in Luther’s house: later, this produced the reminiscences of Luther for...