Life
Johann Richter, also known as Johannes Praetorius, was born in 1537 in Jáchymov. Little is known about his youth or early education.
From 1557 he studied at the University of Wittenberg. There he received education in the liberal arts, which included rhetoric, grammar, arithmetic, geometry, music, astronomy and logic.
Between 1562 and 1569 he lived in Nuremberg, an important centre of science and craftsmanship, particularly in the production of scientific instruments. During his stay there he designed and constructed several mathematical and astronomical devices. These instruments are still preserved today in the Germanic National Museum in Nuremberg.
While in Nuremberg he also improved the so-called measuring table (Tabula Praetoriana Mensula), an instrument used for solving cartographic and surveying problems, especially during field mapping.
After leaving Nuremberg he lived successively in Prague, Vienna and Kraków. In 1571 he returned to Wittenberg, where he was appointed professor of higher mathematics with a focus on astronomy. On 4 March 1572 he received the title of Master of Philosophy.
In 1575 he left the university for political reasons. He later worked at the University of Altdorf near Nuremberg as a professor of mathematics.
Johann Richter died on 27 October 1616 in Altdorf.
