Who was Nicolas Copernicus?
Mikolaj Kopernik, well known by his Latin name Nicholas Copernicus was born in Torun, Poland in 1473. His father Niklas Koppernigk, was a merchant and baker from Cracow, who migrated to Torun not later than 1458. He prospered there and was appointed magistrate for life. He married Barbara Watzenrode, daughter of a wealthy Torun merchant. His parents died when he was twelve, and he was entrusted to his uncle Lukas Watzenrode. Through his uncle, Lukas Watzenrode (1447-1512), who later became the bishop of Varmia (Ermland), was elected a canon of the cathedral chapter of Frombork (Frauenburg). In 1491-1495 his uncle enabled him to enter the University of Krakow. It was then famous for its mathematics, philosophy, and astronomy curriculum. Copernicus attended St. John’s School in Torun and studied canon law at the University of Krakow from 1491 to 1495. Than in 1496 he begins Law studies in the University of Bologna to study both canon and civil law. There, he lodged with and worked as an
