About Oswald Myconius
Lived 1488 – 1552 (aged 63–64). Oswald Myconius was a theologian, university teacher, historian, protestant reformer and parson.
Oswald Myconius (1488 – 14 October 1552) was a Swiss Protestant theologian and Protestant reformer. He was a follower of Huldrych Zwingli.
Life He was born at Lucerne, Switzerland. His family name was Geisshüsler, and his father was a miller; hence he was also called Molitoris (Latin molitor, "miller"). The name Myconius is said to have been given him by Erasmus; it alludes to the proverbial expression bald-headed Myconian. From the school at Lucerne he went to the University of Basel to study classics. From 1514 he obtained teaching posts at Basel, where he married, and made the acquaintance of Erasmus and of Hans Holbein, the painter. In 1516 he was called, as schoolmaster, to Zürich, where (1518) he attached himself to the reforming party of Zwingli. This led to his being transferred to Lucerne and again, in 1523, reinstated at Zürich.
On the death of Zwingli (1531) he moved to Basel, where he held the office of town's preacher, and (till 1541) the chair of New Testament exegesis. In confessional matters he was for a union of all Protestants. as well as Bekanthnus unsers heyligen Christenlichen gloubens, wie es die Kilch zuo Basel haltet and In Evangelivm Marci Docta Et Pia.
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Important facts
People in Oswald Myconius's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Oswald Myconius?
Swiss theologian
When was Oswald Myconius born?
Oswald Myconius was born in 1488 in Lucerne.
When did Oswald Myconius die?
Oswald Myconius died on 14 October 1552 in Basel.
What was Oswald Myconius's occupation?
Oswald Myconius was a theologian, university teacher, historian, protestant reformer and parson.
What nationality was Oswald Myconius?
Oswald Myconius's recorded nationality: Old Swiss Confederacy.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Oswald Myconius. https://biography.guide/oswald-myconius/
MLA: "Oswald Myconius." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/oswald-myconius/.
Chicago: "Oswald Myconius." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/oswald-myconius/.
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