Copernicus' Education
With the help of his maternal uncle, Lucas Watzenrode, he was able to get a good start in life. Copernicus first went to the University of Krakow. He studied there yet there is no record of him obtaining a degree. This was actually not unusual for that time since he did not need a bachelor's degree for his ecclesiastical career or even to study for a higher degree. The University of Krakow offered courses in mathematics, astronomy, and astrology (including arithmetic, geometry, geometric optics, cosmography, theoretical and computational astronomy, a good knowledge of the philosophical and natural-science writings of Aristotle (De coelo, Metaphysics) and Averroes (which later would play an important role in shaping his theory) which interested Copernicus. Not only did he attend lectures but he also read books independently to expand his knowledge (books such as: Euclid, Haly Abenragel, the Alfonsine Tables, Johannes Regiomontanus' Tabulae directionum). During his time at the University of Krakow he began collecting a large library on astronomy. The four years at Krakow were very important ones.
Then with the help of Lucas Watzenrode, Copernicus was able to get a position at the Cathedral Chapter of Warmia in Frombork as canon which secured his financial situation for the rest of his life. He would also receive frequent leave from the Cathedral Chapter of Warmia. Meanwhile he decided to follow his maternal uncle’s footsteps and went to the University of Bologna in 1496 to study canon law. There he lived with astronomy professor Domenico Maria Novara and made his first astronomical observations. In addition, as Rosen noted, “In establishing close contact with Novara, Copernicus met, perhaps for the first time in his life, a mind that dared to challenge the authority of [Ptolemy] the most eminent ancient writer in his chosen fields of study.” One of the big advantages that Copernicus had at Bologna, were teachers of Greek. This was important because most of the works of great astronomers (such as Ptolemy) had not yet been translated into Latin (the common language of the academia). Copernicus mostly spoke and wrote in Latin because he was surrounded by it. It was the official language of the Roman Catholic Church, the Royal Courts of Poland and was spoken in the academia (community of students and scholars engaged in higher education and research) in Europe. Therefore most of the documents and letters, written by him, that were found were written in Latin.
Then in 1501 Copernicus left Bolgna for Frombork without his degree. Then he decided to study medicine at the University of Padua. The medical curriculum included not only the study of medicine and anatomy but also technical astronomy and astrology. Once again he didn’t obtain a medical degree. Instead he went to the University of Ferrara and there obtained a doctorate in canon law.
Then he started studying and working on astronomy in his own time.
With the help of his maternal uncle, Lucas Watzenrode, he was able to get a good start in life. Copernicus first went to the University of Krakow. He studied there yet there is no record of him obtaining a degree. This was actually not unusual for that time since he did not need a bachelor's degree for his ecclesiastical career or even to study for a higher degree. The University of Krakow offered courses in mathematics, astronomy, and astrology (including arithmetic, geometry, geometric optics, cosmography, theoretical and computational astronomy, a good knowledge of the philosophical and natural-science writings of Aristotle (De coelo, Metaphysics) and Averroes (which later would play an important role in shaping his theory) which interested Copernicus. Not only did he attend lectures but he also read books independently to expand his knowledge (books such as: Euclid, Haly Abenragel, the Alfonsine Tables, Johannes Regiomontanus' Tabulae directionum). During his time at the University of Krakow he began collecting a large library on astronomy. The four years at Krakow were very important ones.
Then with the help of Lucas Watzenrode, Copernicus was able to get a position at the Cathedral Chapter of Warmia in Frombork as canon which secured his financial situation for the rest of his life. He would also receive frequent leave from the Cathedral Chapter of Warmia. Meanwhile he decided to follow his maternal uncle’s footsteps and went to the University of Bologna in 1496 to study canon law. There he lived with astronomy professor Domenico Maria Novara and made his first astronomical observations. In addition, as Rosen noted, “In establishing close contact with Novara, Copernicus met, perhaps for the first time in his life, a mind that dared to challenge the authority of [Ptolemy] the most eminent ancient writer in his chosen fields of study.” One of the big advantages that Copernicus had at Bologna, were teachers of Greek. This was important because most of the works of great astronomers (such as Ptolemy) had not yet been translated into Latin (the common language of the academia). Copernicus mostly spoke and wrote in Latin because he was surrounded by it. It was the official language of the Roman Catholic Church, the Royal Courts of Poland and was spoken in the academia (community of students and scholars engaged in higher education and research) in Europe. Therefore most of the documents and letters, written by him, that were found were written in Latin.
Then in 1501 Copernicus left Bolgna for Frombork without his degree. Then he decided to study medicine at the University of Padua. The medical curriculum included not only the study of medicine and anatomy but also technical astronomy and astrology. Once again he didn’t obtain a medical degree. Instead he went to the University of Ferrara and there obtained a doctorate in canon law.
Then he started studying and working on astronomy in his own time.