Conrad Lycosthenes

Deacon of Saint Leonard in Basel, professor of grammar and dialectics, Lycosthenes had a passion for the study of nature and geophysics.

In 1542, he left Heidelberg for Basel where he began teaching Grammar and Dialectics.

He learned to write with his left hand and continued his literary works until his death from apoplexia on 25 March 1561 at the age of 43.

In the meantime he had married Chretienne Herbster, sister of the famous Basel book printer Johannes Oporinus (Oporin) and widow of Leonard Zwinger, father of Theodor Zwinger, author of the Theatrum vitae humanae.

[1]: 542 One of the numerous polyhistors of the 16th century, Lycosthenes mastered Latin and Greek, and was particularly fond of curiosities.