Martin Luther
1483 – 1546 German theologian, reformer
Reformation leader who pressed civic authorities to create schools so all children could read scripture.
- Religion
- Lutheran, founder of the Reformation.
- Affiliations
- Led the Protestant Reformation; urged towns to fund public schools.
Martin Luther's push for people to read the Bible in their own language made basic literacy a religious goal of the Reformation. In writings such as his 1524 letter to German town councils he urged rulers to found and fund schools for boys and girls alike. His colleague Philipp Melanchthon turned these appeals into practical school ordinances across Protestant Germany.
Connections
- rival of Erasmus — Broke with Erasmus over theology despite shared humanist roots.
- rival of Erasmus — Debated Luther over free will while sharing an interest in education reform.
- rival of Leo X (pope) — Condemned and excommunicated him in 1520-1521.
In the timeline
- 1516 The sale of indulgences mentioned
- 1517 Luther's Ninety-five Theses author
- 1517 Luther posts the Ninety-five Theses mentioned
- 1517 The Protestant Reformation splits Western Christianity mentioned
- 1517 Luther's revolt against papal indulgences mentioned
- 1521 Diet of Worms condemns Luther mentioned
- 1521 Pope Leo X grants Henry VIII the title Defender of the Faith mentioned
- 1521 Luther before the Diet of Worms mentioned
- 1524 Luther calls for public schools mentioned
- 1588 Bruno publishes Oratio valedictoria at Wittenberg mentioned