Johann Reuchlin

Johann Reuchlin (1455–1522) was a German humanist, jurist, and Hebrew scholar whose works advanced Christian study of Hebrew and Jewish texts in Renaissance Europe.

Desiderius Erasmus: Desiderius Erasmus (c. 1466–1536) was a Dutch humanist and theologian who edited classical and Christian texts. Erasmus supported Reuchlin during the controversy over Jewish books.
De rudimentis Hebraicis: A 1506 Latin textbook by Reuchlin introducing Hebrew grammar and vocabulary to Christian scholars. This textbook supplied tools for the Hebrew study Reuchlin advocated.
Augenspiegel: A 1511 German treatise by Reuchlin arguing against the confiscation and destruction of Jewish books. It states his case against Pfefferkorn’s proposed book confiscations.
Renaissance humanism: An intellectual movement that revived classical learning and emphasized the study of ancient languages and texts. Its return to original sources encouraged Reuchlin’s language scholarship.
Martin Luther: Martin Luther (1483–1546) was a German theologian whose challenge to church authority began the Protestant Reformation. Luther’s disputes followed Reuchlin’s and drew on a climate of humanist criticism.
Johannes Pfefferkorn: Johannes Pfefferkorn was a Jewish convert to Christianity who campaigned for the confiscation of Jewish books. His campaign prompted Reuchlin’s defense of Jewish writings.
De verbo mirifico: A 1494 dialogue by Reuchlin that explores the divine name and the powers attributed to Hebrew language. It shows how Reuchlin combined Hebrew learning with Christian theology.
Jewish book controversy: A dispute in the early sixteenth century over whether Jewish books should be confiscated or destroyed. Reuchlin became its leading scholarly opponent of confiscation.
University of Basel: A Swiss university founded in 1460 that became a center of humanist scholarship. Reuchlin studied at Basel, where he pursued classical and humanist learning.
Protestant Reformation: A sixteenth-century movement that divided Western Christianity and created Protestant churches. Reuchlin’s controversy contributed to the intellectual setting in which reform debates expanded.

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