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Article: Luther, Martin (1483–1546)
- Article from:
- Europe, 1450 to 1789: Encyclopedia of the Early Modern World
- Author:
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LUTHER, MARTIN (1483
–
1546)
LUTHER, MARTIN
(1483
–
1546), German theologian and author. Martin Luther came to be easily the most well-known public figure
—
and the most published author
—
of his time. He was born on 10 November 1483 to Hans and Margarethe Luther in the town of Eisleben and went to school in Mansfeld and Magdeburg and then in Eisenach. His father was in the copper mining business, and wanted Martin to become a lawyer. He entered the University of Erfurt in 1501 and completed the studies necessary for a master's degree four years later. By that time, however, he was suffering from doubts about the meaning of his life and from fears of death, and in ...