Abraomas Kulvietis facts for kids
Abraomas Kulvietis (born around 1509 – died June 19, 1545) was an important Lithuanian thinker. He was a lawyer, a professor, and a church reformer. He helped bring new ideas about religion and education to Lithuania during a time of big changes in Europe.
Early Life and Education
Abraomas Kulvietis was born in a place called Kulva, which is now in the Jonava district of Lithuania. His family was part of the Lithuanian nobility.
He spent many years studying at different universities across Europe. From 1528 to 1537, he learned a lot.
- First, he studied in Cracow Academy.
- Then, he moved to the Catholic University of Leuven. Here, he learned about new ways of thinking called humanism from people like Desiderius Erasmus.
- He continued his studies in Wittenberg. This is where he learned about the religious ideas of Martin Luther.
- Later, he studied in Leipzig and finally in Siena. In Siena, in 1537, he earned a special degree as a Doctor of Law.
Return to Lithuania
After finishing his studies, Kulvietis came back to the Great Duchy of Lithuania. He started giving lectures in Vilnius. He was protected by Queen Bona Sforza and King Sigismund II Augustus.
In 1540, Kulvietis started his own school. He taught about 60 students there, and he taught them in the Lithuanian language. This was very important because it helped spread education in their own language.
However, many people in the Roman Catholic Church did not like Kulvietis. This was because of his new religious ideas, which were similar to Lutheranism. In 1542, when the queen was away, Kulvietis was forced to leave Lithuania.
Life in Prussia
Kulvietis was invited by Albert, Duke of Prussia to come to Prussia. Many other Lithuanians who shared his religious views also went there.
Together, they helped create the Königsberg Albertina University. Kulvietis became the first professor there. He taught classic Hebrew and Greek. He also helped translate Lithuanian religious songs.
Later Life and Death
In 1545, Kulvietis was allowed to visit his mother in Lithuania because she was very ill. He might have already been sick with tuberculosis when he left Prussia. Sadly, some people say he might have been poisoned by his enemies. He died at his parents' home in Kulva.
Kulvietis also wrote a 24-line Lithuanian religious song. It was printed in a collection by Martynas Mažvydas.
Works
- "Confessio fidei Abr. Culvensis", 1543
