Philip Melanchthon

Timeline

1. 1497–1518Bretten · EuropeBorn in Bretten, deeply influenced by his grandfather Johann Reuchlin, a humanist scholar, who gave him the Hellenized name 'Melanchthon'. Entered Heidelberg University at 12, later transferred to Tübingen, received a bachelor's at 17 and a master's at 21, studying classical literature and theology at Tübingen and renowned for his learning.
2. 1518–1530Wittenberg · EuropeAppointed professor of Greek at Wittenberg University in 1518; his inaugural lecture deeply impressed Martin Luther and the two quickly became close friends. In 1521 he published Loci Communes, the first systematic work of Lutheran theology, later repeatedly revised and reprinted, and assisted Luther in completing the German Bible translation.
3. 1530–1531Augsburg · EuropeDuring the 1530 Imperial Diet, Melanchthon drafted and submitted the Augsburg Confession on behalf of the Lutheran princes, systematically setting out Protestant faith in moderate terms; it became the most important Lutheran confession to this day and the basis for negotiations between Protestants and Catholics.
4. 1531–1560Wittenberg · EuropeAfter Luther's death he became the leading theological figure of Lutheranism, continually revising Loci Communes and the Apology of the Augsburg Confession, helping establish Protestant school systems across Germany, and promoting the fusion of classical humanist education with Protestant theology, earning the title 'Praeceptor Germaniae'. In his later years he diverged from strict Lutherans over the Eucharist and other theological positions, sparking the 'crypto-Calvinism' controversy.