[1] Gothus was born Lars Paulsson at Söderköping in Östergötland County, Sweden.

In 1588, Gothus travelled to Germany and studied in the Rostock University for three years.

He was appointed professor of logic at the recently reopened, and now Lutheran focused, Uppsala University.

Laurentius had acquired a belief in Ramism from the writings French educational reformer Petrus Ramus and defended his views rigorously.

Later he was also involved in philosophical disputes with Jonas Magni Wexionensis (1583–1651) who was a professor and head of Uppsala University and who was an adherent of Aristotle.