Martin Luther
- Born:
- November 10, 1483, Eisleben, Holy Roman Empire
- Died:
- February 18, 1546, Eisleben, County of Mansfeld, Holy Roman Empire
- Nationality:
- German
- Profession(s):
- Professor of Theology, Priest, Reformer, Translator
Early Life and Education
- Born to Hans and Margarethe Luther in Eisleben.
- Received his early education in Mansfeld, Magdeburg, and Eisenach.
- Entered the University of Erfurt in 1501, earning a Master of Arts degree in 1505.
- Began studying law at Erfurt, but abandoned it in 1505 after a near-death experience.
- Entered the Augustinian monastery in Erfurt in 1505.
- Ordained to the priesthood in 1507.
- Obtained a doctorate in theology from the University of Wittenberg in 1512.
Career and Major Achievements
- Appointed professor of biblical studies at the University of Wittenberg.
- On October 31, 1517, he posted his Ninety-Five Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church, initiating the Protestant Reformation.
- Excommunicated by Pope Leo X in 1521 following his refusal to recant his writings.
- Declared an outlaw by the Edict of Worms in 1521.
- While in hiding at Wartburg Castle, he translated the New Testament into German.
- Returned to Wittenberg and resumed his reforming activities.
- Married Katharina von Bora, a former nun, in 1525.
- Played a significant role in shaping the Augsburg Confession, a defining document of Lutheranism.
Notable Works
- Ninety-Five Theses (1517)
- On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church (1520)
- To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation (1520)
- On the Freedom of a Christian (1520)
- German Translation of the Bible (New Testament: 1522; Old Testament: completed 1534)
- Small Catechism (1529)
- Large Catechism (1529)
Legacy and Impact
Martin Luther's actions triggered the Protestant Reformation, profoundly reshaping Western Christianity and European history. His theological ideas, particularly his emphasis on justification by faith alone, had a lasting impact on religious thought. His translation of the Bible into German made scripture accessible to a wider audience and helped standardize the German language. This webpage offers a concise overview, and readers seeking a more in-depth understanding of Luther's life and work should consult sources such as a detailed talbert abrams biography of martin luther or similar scholarly texts.