COPERNICUS, NICOLAS, an eminent astronomer, was b. at Thorn, in Prussia, 19th Feb., 1473. He was instructed in the Latin and Greek languages at home; afterwards he was sent to the university of Cracow, where lie studied philosophy and mathematics, and took the degree of doctor of medicine. He also studied law at Bologna university. His natural bent, however, was towards mathematics, the study of which be pursued with passion through all its branches.
Having become enamored of the study of astronomy, he projected a journey to Rome in his enthusiastic admiration of Regiomontanus, who resided there, and was then the most illustrious of the astronomers. On his arrival he was kindly received by Regiomon• tanus, whom be soon rivaled in fame. Here his reputation, and the favor of his distin guished friend, led to his being chosen professor of mathematics, which he taught for several years most successfully. After several years he left Rome and returned to his native country, where, having entered into holy orders. we suppose, be obtained through his uncle, the bishop of Warmia, a canonry at Frauenburg, in the enjoyment of which lie passed the rest of his life. His working-day, it is said, he divided into three parts— one devoted to the duties of his office, another to giving medical advice gratuitously to the poor, and the third to study.
Soon after his return to Prussia, he began, in his 35th year (1507), to apply his fund of observations and mathematical knowledge to correcting the of astronomy which then prevailed. The result was his De Revolutionika Orbinm, some account of which is given in the previous article. Ile completed it in 1:530, in his 57th year. But though finished at this date, it was twelve years later before he could be persuaded to give his book to the world by his friends, who urged its publication out of regard at once to his fame and the interests of science. Perhaps the strongest motive for his reti
cence, was the fear of the unpopularity which the work threatened to bring him (for many who had heard of the views it advocated, doubted if these were in harmony with religion), while it is pretty certain that his desire to conciliate the church (which after. wards showed in the case of Galileo what it was capable of in such a matter), led him to dedicate his book, when it was published, to pope Paul III. It is related that the first copy of this labor of his life reached him when he was no longer able to enjoy the tri umph. Au attack of dysentery, followed by paralysis of the right side, had destroyed his memory and obscured his understanding. In this state he lingered several days. The copy, it is said, just arrived a few hours before he died. It was placed in his hands, and he seemed to know it! Ile died 24th May, 1543, aged 70.
Besides the De Retolutionibus, may be mentioned among C.'s works a treatise on trigonometry, entitled De Lateribus et Angelis Triangulornm, IVittemberg, 1522, 4to; and Theophylactiei Scholastki Sinweathe Epistolers Morales, Rurales, et Amatoritr, cum Vendome Latina. He also wrote a work on money, and several MS. treatises from his pen are said to be in the library of the bishopric of Warmia. His life has been written by Gassendi. See also the life by Von Hipler (1873) and Polkovski's Zytcot Eapernika (Warsaw, 1873).