Hartmann Schedel (13 February 1440 – 28 November 1514) was a German historian, physician, humanist, and one of the first cartographers to use the printing press. He was born and died in Nuremberg. Matheolus Perusinus served as his tutor.
Hartmann Schedel
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| Born | 13 February 1440 |
| Died | 28 November 1514(1514-11-28) (aged 74)
Germany
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| Nationality | German |
| Occupation(s) | Physician, humanist, historian, cartographer |
Schedel is best known for his writing the text for the Nuremberg Chronicle, known as Schedelsche Weltchronik (English: Schedel's World Chronicle), published in 1493 in Nuremberg. It was commissioned by Sebald Schreyer (1446–1520) and Sebastian Kammermeister (1446–1503).[1] Maps in the Chronicle were the first ever illustrations of many cities and countries.
With the invention of the printing pressbyJohannes Gutenberg in 1447, it became feasible to print books and maps for a larger customer basis. Because they had to be handwritten, books had previously been rare and very expensive.
Schedel was also a notable collector of books, art and old master prints. An album he had bound in 1504, which once contained five engravingsbyJacopo de' Barbari, provides important evidence for dating de' Barbari's work.
Media related to Hartmann Schedel at Wikimedia Commons Media related to Schedelsche Weltchronik at Wikimedia Commons
German Wikisource has original text related to this article: Schedel’sche Weltchronik