Johannes Sichardus (1499 Tauberbischofsheim – 1552 Tübingen, ^[1] also known as Sichart, Sichard, Sichardt ^[2]) was a humanist, jurist and law professor at the University of Türbingen. He also edited several editions for printers in Basel.

Early life and education

He was born in Tauberbischofsheim into a humble household. ^[2] In later years, his father would become an innkeeper. ^[2] With the support of an influential relative from Aschaffenburg, he attended the Latin school in Erfurt. ^[2] From 1514, Sichard studied at the University of Ingolstadt ^[2] and graduated in 1518 with a M.A. ^[3] After graduation, he became a teacher at the schola poetica in Munich. ^[4] In 1521 he moved to Freiburg where he lectured at the University of Freiburg with the support Ulrich Zasius, ^[4] but did not achieve to become employed as a professor. ^[3] Zasius then recommended him to the University of Basel where he lectured on rhetoric. ^{[3] [5]}

Basel

Between 1524 and 1530 he was a professor in the humanist rhetoric and law at the University of Basel. ^[6] In 1524 he was nominated a professor at the philosophical faculty where he lectured rhetoric and on Cicero and Quintilian. ^[5] He also lectured on law on the recommendation of Claudius Cantiuncula [ de] and Zasius, after Bonifacius Amerbach had declined. ^[7] Being recommended by Zasius, Sichardus felt obliged to lecture in support of legal humanism. ^[8] In Basel, he was involved in the authorship of over twenty books. ^[9] In Basel he worked with the printers Andreas Cratander, Adam Petri, and Henric Petri. ^[5] Adam Petri who also printed two books he edited. ^[10] In 1528 the Brevarium Alaricum was printed by Henric Petri, ^[9] but Sichard thought it was the Codex Theodosianus. ^[11] In 1530 the religious environment with the reformation let Sichard leave Basel. ^[12]

Freiburg

He then went to Freiburg where Sichard studied law with Zasius. ^[13] In November 1531 he graduated as a doctor in law. ^[14] Following he lectured on law at the University of Freiburg. ^[14]

Tübingen

In 1535 he received a call to the University of Tübingen, where he would earn a hundred guilders at the beginning but within two years of teaching, his salary was doubled. ^[15] He became the rector for the term 1535/1536 and again in 1542, 1545 und 1549. He was the dean seven years. ^[16] Attempts to recruit him by the city of Nuremberg were unsuccessful but in 1544 the Duke of Wurttemberg Ulrich appointed him the advisor to the duchy for ten years. ^[16] Emperor Charles V wanted to appoint him as an adviser to the Reichskammergericht in 1548, but he declined. ^[17]

Personal life

He had a brother, maybe two, and sisters. ^[2] He died on 9 May 1552. ^[1] Following his death, Mathias Garbitius held a memorial speech at the University of Tübingen. ^[2] Sichard raised two nieces but died childless and his wife remarried. ^[17]

References