Bugenhagen

Bugenhagen, Johann (1485-1558), a German scholar and reformer, was born at Wollin in Pomerania, whence he is sometimes surnamed "Pomeranus." He was distinguished as a classical scholar at Greifswald, where he was educated, and early in the 16th century became rector of a school at Treptow, and was appointed by a neighbouring convent to lecture to the monks. Converted to the views of Luther by the latter's book De Captivitate Babylonica, he quickly converted the abbot and others, and threw himself heart, and soul into the work of the Reformation. His energy and his talent for organising were great, and he was chosen to regulate the affairs of the new churches generally, and in 1537 he was invited to Denmark by Christian III. to organise the church and schools; and there he remained five years, and returned to pass the rest of his life at Wittenberg. Besides aiding Luther to translate the Bible, he wrote many works, among them being an interpretation of the Psalms and a History of Pomerania which was first published in 1728.