# Birth of Nicolaus Copernicus (1473)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1473-birth-of-nicolaus-copernicus
Location: Toruń

Nicolaus Copernicus was born in Toruń, a city of Royal Prussia under the Polish crown. He later studied at the Kraków Academy and served as a canon of Warmia. Within the broader Jagiellonian Age period: The union with Lithuania created one of Europe's largest states. Victory over the Teutonic Order, the rise of noble democracy and a brilliant Renaissance culture marked the Jagiellonian golden age. At this point in the timeline (19 February 1473), the governing authority was Casimir IV Jagiellon (King of Poland). Won the Thirteen Years' War, regaining Pomerelia and Warmia, and placed his sons on the thrones of Bohemia and Hungary. Birth of Nicolaus Copernicus mattered because it placed Polish scholars and scientists at the forefront of human knowledge. The event is placed here so readers can follow it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion and culture across Polish history.

## Why it matters
Birth of Nicolaus Copernicus mattered because it placed Polish scholars and scientists at the forefront of human knowledge.

Ruler at the time: [Casimir IV Jagiellon](https://poland-history.com/rulers/casimir-iv-jagiellon)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Nicolaus Copernicus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolaus_Copernicus)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Birth of Nicolaus Copernicus](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Birth+of+Nicolaus+Copernicus)
- [Wikipedia — Jagiellonian dynasty (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagiellonian_dynasty)