Bonifacius Amerbach

Bonifacius Amerbach (1495–April 1562 ) was a jurist, scholar, an influential humanist and the rector of the University of Basel for several terms.

Early life and education Born on the 11 October 1495, he was the youngest son of the printer Johannes Amerbach who immigrated to Basel from Amorbach in Bavaria and Barbara Ortenberg. He was baptized in the and had two godfathers and one godmother. He received his primary education in Basel On the second occasion he went to the monastery of Engental in Muttenz, where his teacher was Conrad of Leonberg. In 1507, he was sent to the famous Latin school in Schlettstadt, where he was accommodated by its principal Hieronymus Gebwiler. He studied in Schledtstadt until November 1508.

He returned to Basel where he enrolled studied law at the University of Basel, earning a B.A. in 1511 and an M.A. in 1513. From 1510 onwards, he was taught Greek by the Dominican Johannes Cuno, who became the private teacher of Johann Amerbach's sons and also of Beatus Rheanus. Between 1513 and 1519 he studied law with Ulrich Zasius in Freiburg im Breisgau, with whom he established a close relationship. It was also in Freiburg that he developed a friendship with Erasmus of Rotterdam. When in 1521 the plague reigned in Avignon, he relocated to Basel for a year. His doctoral adviser was Francesco Ripa.

Academic career As the successor of , he taught at the University of Basel from 1525 During the Reformation he abstained to accept the teachings of the reformator of Basel Johannes Oecolampadius and for a while was determined to leave Basel if those views on the Lord's supper would become to official views by the cities Government. Even though Oecolampadius's views came through, he then stayed but the requirements to be assigned as a professor at the University of Basel were adapted and he was excepted from the duty to attend the Lord's supper. In 1539 he again fled the plague in Basel and stayed for a while with his stepfather in Neuenburg. He was elected the rector of the University of Basel five terms, the first term being in 1526

Legal humanist He became a prominent legal humanist of Europe during the 15th century, and has corresponded with a vast number of contemporary humanists. Throughout his career he was a moderate voice between the defenders of the mos italicus and those of the mos gallicus. whose works he had collected for years. As he was opposed to the Reformation, Amerbach left Basel for some months, but eventually returned. It was only in 1534 when he gave in and formally became a Reformist, also partaking in the Lord's Supper. The musician and poet Heinrich Loriti was also known to be close to him. thumb

Collector Bonifacius Amerbach has assembled a large number of artifacts, coins and medallions during his life. From his father he inherited the vast library upon his death in 1513. He was interested in the goldsmiths designs and works. After having declined several marriages which his sister and also his teacher Alciatus had offered him, he finally married in 1527. on 25 February 1527. In 1528, on Christmas Day, a daughter Ursula was born; she died early on the 20th June 1532. In 1533, his son Basilius Amerbach was born. His wife Martha and his youngest daughter Esther died when in 1541/42 the plague was raging in Basel.

After Amerbach's father-in-law Leonhard Fuchs died in 1546 in Neuenburg, Bonifacius Amerbach became the head of the entire Amerbach and Fuchs families. He died in April 1562 and was buried at the in Basel.