Beatus Rhenanus

1485-1547. German humanist. Born in Alsace, son of a butcher, he studied at Paris (1503-7) when Lefèvre d'étaples* was teaching Aristotelian philosophy there. At Basle (1511-26) he took an active share in the publishing activities of John Froben, returning to Schlettstadt (his birthplace) to pursue his studies. He wrote a biography of Geiler von Kaysersberg* (1510), published editions of the classics and the Fathers, especially Tertullian (1521), and his studies of German antiquities, Rerum Germanicarum libri tres (1531). While at Basle he became a close friend of Erasmus, and published his works and a biography in nine volumes (1540-41). He was also a friend of Luther and Martin Bucer, introducing Bucer to the works of Erasmus. At first, like Erasmus, Rhenanus favored the Reformation, but later reacted against it. He died at Strasbourg.