Not only an astronomer and economist...

There is no denying that Nicolaus Copernicus is famous for his heliocentric theory of the universe. However, he was not only an astronomer. Copernicus was a real man of the Renaissance so he was talented in more than one field.

Did you know that Copernicus was also a translator? He translated the Letters of Theophylactus from Greek to Latin. This letter-writing Theophylactus was later surnamed Simocatta in order to distinguish him from several other Greek authors also called Theophylactus. Copernicus may have decided to translate The Letters to improve his Greek. He dedicated the translation to his uncle Lucas Watzenrode. It was published in Kraków in 1509 by Johann Haller. It was the only book that Copernicus ever brought out on his own account.

The first pages Theophylactus Simocattes’s Letters translated by Copernicus, published in Cracow in 1509

Copernicus as a cartographer: Copernicus made some maps of his homeland himself. His first independent work was of Warmia and the western borders of Royal Prussia. The map was valuable also for the Tautonic Order, because they wanted to use the map to reclaim the territory lost in 1466. Before the important assembly the Order sent their spy who searched Copernicus quarters trying to secretly steal the map to hand it over to the Order. The spy didn't find the map. It is also known that in July 1529, Nicolaus Copernicus and his good friend, produced a map of the whole of Prussia. Unfortunately, its fate is unknown and it must have become lost.

Nicolaus Copernicus was also a canon and a soldier. He was a great opponent of The Tautonic Order.  In 1516-1521 Copernicus administered the Warmian Chapter’s property, including its nearby lands and the castle in Olsztyn. He was a canon, however, he was not a priest because he was never ordained. During Copernicus' administration of the Olsztyn Castle, another war with the Teutonic Order broke out. In 1520, Copernicus with few armed men defended the castle in Olsztyn against the enemy. He made solid preparations to fend off the attack. In fact he was so successful that after just one attempt, the enemy withdrew from its plan to conquer the castle.

The Castle in Olsztyn

       In addition, Copernicus was a respectable doctor. He studied medicine in Padua, in Italy. He was the personal "medicus" and secretary of his uncle, Bishop Lucas Watzenrode. After the death of his uncle in 1512, Copernicus became the personal physician to 4 other bishops. What is more, Copernicus helped and supported poor people. He not only diagnosed and took care of his patients but also personally prepared the prescribed drugs. During the epidemics of 1519, Copernicus implemented sanitary and counterepidemic measures. He installed an innovative water supply system in several Warmian and Pomeranian towns.  

        In many portraits of Copernicus, he is depicted holding a lily of the valley in his hands. The flower was a Renaissance symbol of the medical profession.

Copernicus with lily of  the valley in his hands