Michael Servetus

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Headquarters of the Michael Servetus Institute and a research centre of Servetus' life and works in Villanueva de Sigena

Monument to Michel Servet (1908-1911), Joseph Bernard

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Monument to Michael Servetus, Champel

Monument to Michael Servetus in Geneva, Switzerland, in 2019

Michael Servetus (also known as Miguel Servet) was a Spanish theologian, physician, and polymath whose works touched upon a wide range of subjects, including theology, anatomy, and astronomy. He is best known for his discovery of the pulmonary circulation of the blood, a groundbreaking contribution to the field of medicine and human anatomy. Servetus was born on September 29, 1511, in Villanueva de Sigena, in the Kingdom of Aragon, Spain. He was executed on October 27, 1553, in Geneva, Switzerland, due to his non-traditional views on the Trinity, which were deemed heretical by both the Catholic Church and Protestant reformers.

Early Life and Education

Michael Servetus was born into a noble family and received a comprehensive education in the humanities, law, and medicine at the University of Paris. His intellectual curiosity led him to question traditional Christian doctrines early in his career, particularly the concept of the Trinity.

Contributions to Medicine

Servetus's most notable contribution to medicine was his detailed description of the pulmonary circulation. In his book Christianismi Restitutio (The Restoration of Christianity), published in 1553, he was the first to correctly describe the function of pulmonary circulation, although he did not understand the entire circulatory system as later described by William Harvey. Servetus's work laid the foundation for modern cardiology and respiratory medicine.

Theological Views and Persecution

Servetus's theological views, particularly his denial of the Trinity, led to his persecution by both Catholic and Protestant authorities. He rejected the traditional Christian understanding of the Trinity as three distinct persons in one God, proposing instead a form of Unitarianism that was considered heretical by the mainstream Christian churches of his time.

Trial and Execution

After fleeing from Spain and then from France to avoid persecution, Servetus arrived in Geneva, where he was recognized and arrested. Despite attempts to flee and appeals for leniency, he was tried and found guilty of heresy by the city's Protestant authorities, led by John Calvin. Servetus was burned at the stake with his books on October 27, 1553.

Legacy

Michael Servetus is remembered as a martyr for religious freedom and a pioneer in the fields of medicine and science. His work on pulmonary circulation stands as a significant milestone in the history of medicine. Servetus's execution sparked a widespread debate on religious tolerance and freedom of conscience, contributing to the gradual development of these principles in Europe.

See Also

• History of medicine
• Pulmonary circulation
• Unitarianism
• Religious tolerance