Hartmann Schedel

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Hartmann Schedel (13 February 1440 – 28 November 1514) was a German physician, humanist, historian, and one of the first cartographers to use the printing press. He is best known for his work on the Nuremberg Chronicle, an illustrated world history that was published in 1493.

Early Life and Education

Schedel was born in Nuremberg, Holy Roman Empire. He studied at the University of Leipzig and later at the University of Padua, where he earned his doctorate in medicine in 1466. His education in Padua exposed him to the Renaissance humanist movement, which greatly influenced his later works.

Career

After completing his studies, Schedel returned to Nuremberg, where he practiced medicine and became involved in the intellectual and cultural life of the city. He was a member of the Nuremberg City Council and was associated with other prominent humanists of his time, including Conrad Celtis and Sebald Schreyer.

The Nuremberg Chronicle

Schedel's most famous work, the Nuremberg Chronicle (also known as Liber Chronicarum), was published in 1493. It is a comprehensive history of the world from the creation to the contemporary period, illustrated with numerous woodcuts. The chronicle was one of the first books to successfully integrate text and images, making it a significant achievement in the history of printing.

The Nuremberg Chronicle was printed by Anton Koberger, one of the most successful printers of the time, and the illustrations were created by Michael Wolgemut and Wilhelm Pleydenwurff, who were leading artists in Nuremberg.

Legacy

Schedel's work on the Nuremberg Chronicle has left a lasting impact on the fields of history, cartography, and book illustration. The chronicle is considered one of the most important incunabula (books printed before 1501) and remains a valuable resource for historians studying the late medieval period.

Related Pages

• Nuremberg Chronicle
• University of Leipzig
• University of Padua
• Renaissance humanism
• Conrad Celtis
• Sebald Schreyer
• Anton Koberger
• Michael Wolgemut
• Wilhelm Pleydenwurff