Erdmann Copernicus (born in the 1520s in Gransee, Margraviate of Brandenburg; † 25 August 1573 in Frankfurt (Oder)) was a German poet, composer, and jurist mainly active in the Margraviate or Electorate of Brandenburg, a precursor to Prussia.
Similar to the unrelated astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus (1473–1543), his name is documented in several partially Latinized variants: Erdmann/Erdmannus/Ertmannus/Erdmanus Kopernikus/Copernicus.
He on 4 May 1545 joined University of Wittenberg in Saxony as Ertmannus Copernicus Granselensis,[1] and graduated on 25 February 1546 as Magister of philosophy.
After being a school principal in the New Town district of Brandenburg an der Havel, Copernicus in 1556 continued law studies at University of Wittenberg until he was appointed professor in Frankfurt/Oder upon the recommendation of Philipp Melanchthon.
Being popular among students, they petitioned Joachim II Hector, Elector of Brandenburg (1505-1571) with verses in Latin for a raise of Copernicus' salary.