Erasmus Reinhold

Erasmus Reinhold (1511-1553) was born and died in Saalfeld, Thuringia, Germany. He was educated at the University of Wittenberg, where he was first elected dean and later became rector. In 1536 he was appointed professor of mathematics by Philipp Melanchthon. Reinhold identified and listed a large number of stars.

Duke Albert of Brandenburg Prussia financed the printing of Reinhold's Prutenicae Tabulae, or "Prussian Tables." These astronomical tables helped to disseminate Copernican principle throughout the Empire.