Jacob Kurz von Senftenau
Encyclopedia
Jacob Kurz von Senftenau (1554- March 11, 1594) (sometimes spelled as Kurtz, Latin
ized name: Jacob Curtius, Czech
: Jakub Kurz ze Senftenavy) was the Imperial pro-chancellor (Reichsvizekanzler) for the Emperor Rudolph II
. In addition to high politics he was also a contact between the Emperor and contemporary scholars, notably the astronomer Tycho Brahe
.
Jacob Kurz was born to a noble family whose many members filled high governmental position for the Habsburgs during the 16th and 17th century (Senftenau is name of a castle near Lindau
, Bavaria
bought by Jacob's father). He was given good education that included natural sciences. 1579–1586 he served in Reichshofrat
, 1585–1594 in Geheimer Rat
, 1587–1593 as Reichsvizekanzler Amtsverwalter (Imperial pro-chancellor office manager), 1593–1594 as Reichsvizekanzler (Imperial pro-chancellor). Kurz, as a high official at the Imperial court in Prague, built a splendid house near the Prague Castle
.
Kurz organized the move of Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe
to Prague
. Brahe arrived in 1594 and was offered to live in Kurz's house. Brahe (and later also Kepler) lived and died there in 1601. Kurz also designed a quadrant
for the astronomer.
Jacob Kurz died during smallpox
epidemy in Prague and was interred in St. Thomas Church in Josefská street, Prague.
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
ized name: Jacob Curtius, Czech
Czech language
Czech is a West Slavic language with about 12 million native speakers; it is the majority language in the Czech Republic and spoken by Czechs worldwide. The language was known as Bohemian in English until the late 19th century...
: Jakub Kurz ze Senftenavy) was the Imperial pro-chancellor (Reichsvizekanzler) for the Emperor Rudolph II
Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor
Rudolf II was Holy Roman Emperor , King of Hungary and Croatia , King of Bohemia and Archduke of Austria...
. In addition to high politics he was also a contact between the Emperor and contemporary scholars, notably the astronomer Tycho Brahe
Tycho Brahe
Tycho Brahe , born Tyge Ottesen Brahe, was a Danish nobleman known for his accurate and comprehensive astronomical and planetary observations...
.
Jacob Kurz was born to a noble family whose many members filled high governmental position for the Habsburgs during the 16th and 17th century (Senftenau is name of a castle near Lindau
Lindau
Lindau is a Bavarian town and an island on the eastern side of Lake Constance, the Bodensee. It is the capital of the Landkreis or rural district of Lindau. The historic city of Lindau is located on an island which is connected with the mainland by bridge and railway.- History :The name Lindau was...
, Bavaria
Bavaria
Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
bought by Jacob's father). He was given good education that included natural sciences. 1579–1586 he served in Reichshofrat
Aulic Council
The Aulic Council was originally an executive-judicial council for the Holy Roman Empire....
, 1585–1594 in Geheimer Rat
Geheimrat
Geheimrat was the title of the highest advising officials at the Imperial, royal or principal courts of the Holy Roman Empire, who jointly formed the Geheimer Rat reporting to the ruler...
, 1587–1593 as Reichsvizekanzler Amtsverwalter (Imperial pro-chancellor office manager), 1593–1594 as Reichsvizekanzler (Imperial pro-chancellor). Kurz, as a high official at the Imperial court in Prague, built a splendid house near the Prague Castle
Prague Castle
Prague Castle is a castle in Prague where the Kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman Emperors and presidents of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic have had their offices. The Czech Crown Jewels are kept here...
.
Kurz organized the move of Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe
Tycho Brahe
Tycho Brahe , born Tyge Ottesen Brahe, was a Danish nobleman known for his accurate and comprehensive astronomical and planetary observations...
to Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
. Brahe arrived in 1594 and was offered to live in Kurz's house. Brahe (and later also Kepler) lived and died there in 1601. Kurz also designed a quadrant
Quadrant (instrument)
A quadrant is an instrument that is used to measure angles up to 90°. It was originally proposed by Ptolemy as a better kind of astrolabe. Several different variations of the instrument were later produced by medieval Muslim astronomers.-Types of quadrants:...
for the astronomer.
Jacob Kurz died during smallpox
Smallpox
Smallpox was an infectious disease unique to humans, caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. The disease is also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera, which is a derivative of the Latin varius, meaning "spotted", or varus, meaning "pimple"...
epidemy in Prague and was interred in St. Thomas Church in Josefská street, Prague.