Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa | |
|---|---|
| File:Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa 02.jpg Portrait of Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa | |
| Born | 14 September 1486 |
| Died | 18 February 1535 (aged 48) |
| Nationality | German |
| Occupation | Polymath, physician, legal scholar, soldier, theologian, occult writer |
Notable work | Three Books of Occult Philosophy |
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim (14 September 1486 – 18 February 1535) was a German polymath, physician, legal scholar, soldier, theologian, and occult writer. He is best known for his work Three Books of Occult Philosophy, which is considered one of the most influential works on Western esotericism and Renaissance magic.
Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]
Agrippa was born in Cologne, in the Holy Roman Empire. He studied at the University of Cologne, where he received a degree in arts in 1502. He later pursued studies in medicine, law, and theology at various universities across Europe, including University of Paris and University of Pavia.
Career[edit | edit source]
Agrippa's career was diverse and included roles as a physician, legal scholar, soldier, and diplomat. He served in the armies of Maximilian I and later worked as a physician in various European cities, including Metz, Geneva, and Fribourg.
Occult Writings[edit | edit source]
Agrippa is most renowned for his contributions to occultism and esotericism. His magnum opus, Three Books of Occult Philosophy, was published in 1531. The work is a comprehensive treatise on magic, alchemy, astrology, and Kabbalah. It synthesizes various strands of Hermeticism, Neoplatonism, and Christian mysticism.
Controversies[edit | edit source]
Agrippa's work often brought him into conflict with the Catholic Church and other authorities. He was accused of heresy and witchcraft on several occasions. Despite these controversies, he maintained a network of influential patrons and correspondents, including Johannes Trithemius and Erasmus.
Death and Legacy[edit | edit source]
Agrippa died in Grenoble, Kingdom of France, on 18 February 1535. His works continued to influence occult and esoteric traditions well into the modern era. Three Books of Occult Philosophy remains a foundational text in the study of Western esotericism.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
- Three Books of Occult Philosophy
- Western esotericism
- Renaissance magic
- Hermeticism
- Neoplatonism
- Christian mysticism
- Alchemy
- Astrology
- Kabbalah
Categories[edit | edit source]
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
