Joannes Aurifaber (1519 – November 18, 1575), born Johann Goldschmidt in Weimar, Germany, was a Lutheran churchman, theologian, and a Protestant reformer.
He studied at Wittenberg where he heard the lectures of Martin Luther, and afterwards became tutor to Count Mansfeldt.
In the war of 1544–45 he accompanied the army as field-preacher, and then lived with Luther as his famulus or private secretary, being present at his death in 1546.
In the following year he spent six months in prison with John Frederick I, Elector of Saxony, who had been captured by the emperor, Charles V.[1] He held for some years the office of court-preacher at Weimar, but owing to theological disputes was compelled to resign this office in 1561.
In 1566 he was appointed to the Lutheran church at Erfurt, and there remained till his death in November 1575.