Johannes Cuspinian

Who was Johannes Cuspinian?

Johannes Cuspinianus, born Johan Spießhaymer, was an Austrian humanist, scientist, diplomat, and historian. Born in Spießheim near Schweinfurt in Franconia, of which Cuspinianus is a Latinization, he studied in Leipzig and Würzburg. He went to Vienna in 1492 and became a professor of medicine at the University of Vienna. He became Rector of the university in 1500 and also served as Royal Superintendent until his death.

A leading scholar, he was the author of De Caesaribus et Imperatoribus and was also given a poet’s laurel wreath by Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor. He was part of an intellectual circle that included Joachim Vadianus and Stiborius. He rendered important service as the discoverer and editor of classical and medieval historical texts. His unfinished Austria was an important historical-geographical regional survey of Lower Austria.