Georg Hartmann

Who was Georg Hartmann?

Georg Hartmann was a German engineer, instrument maker, author, printer, humanist, churchman, and astronomer.

Hartmann was born in Eggolsheim near Forchheim, present-day Bavaria. At the age of 17, he began studying theology and mathematics at the University of Cologne. After finishing his studies, he travelled through Italy and finally settled in Nuremberg in 1518. There he constructed astrolabes, globes, sundials, and quadrants. In addition to these traditional scientific instruments Hartmann also made gunner's levels and sights. Hartmann was possibly the first to discover the inclination of Earth's magnetic field. He died in Nuremberg.

His two published works were Perspectiva Communis, a reprint of John Peckham's 1292 book on optics and Directorium, a book on astrology. He also left Collectanea mathematica praeprimis gnomonicam spectania, 151 f. MS Vienna, Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Quarto, Saec. 16, an unpublished work on sundials and astrolabes that was translated by John Lamprey and published under the title of Hartmann's Practika in 2002.