Katharina Kepler
Katharina Kepler | |
|---|---|
| Born | Katharina Guldenmann 1546 |
| Died | 13 April 1622 (aged 76) |
| Known for | Mother of Johannes Kepler |
| Spouse(s) | Heinrich Kepler |
| Children | Johannes Kepler and others |
Katharina Kepler (née Guldenmann; 1546 – 13 April 1622) was a German woman who is best known as the mother of the famous astronomer Johannes Kepler. She was accused of witchcraft in 1615, a charge that led to a six-year legal battle.
Early Life[edit | edit source]
Katharina Guldenmann was born in 1546 in Eltingen, a village in the Holy Roman Empire. She married Heinrich Kepler, with whom she had several children, including Johannes Kepler, who would go on to become a renowned astronomer and mathematician.
Witchcraft Accusation[edit | edit source]
In 1615, Katharina Kepler was accused of witchcraft by a neighbor in her hometown of Leonberg. The accusation was part of a larger wave of witch trials that swept through Europe during this period. The charges against her were based on local superstitions and personal vendettas.
Legal Battle[edit | edit source]
Her son, Johannes Kepler, took up her defense, dedicating significant time and resources to clearing her name. The trial lasted for six years, during which Johannes Kepler used his knowledge of the law and his scientific reputation to challenge the accusations. Katharina was eventually acquitted in 1621, but the ordeal took a toll on her health.
Death[edit | edit source]
Katharina Kepler died on 13 April 1622 in Leonberg, shortly after her acquittal. Her case remains one of the most well-documented instances of witchcraft accusations in early modern Europe.
Legacy[edit | edit source]
Katharina Kepler's trial is often cited in discussions about the witch hunts of the early modern period. Her son's efforts to defend her are seen as an early example of the use of scientific reasoning in legal defense.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
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