Author: Johannes Wier
Johannes Wier (also Weyer, Wieri, Weier, Wierus and Piscinariusis)
was born in Grave around 1515. He went to school in Hertogenbosch
and Louvain, was a student in Antwerp and studied medicine
in Paris and Orleans. He established himself as a doctor in
his native town of Grave. In 1545, he was appointed town physician
of Arnhem. In spite of a subsidy from Emperor Charles V, Arnhem
was no longer able to pay Wier's salary. So he became to be
personal physician of Duke Willem V van Kleef, also known
as William the Rich. His son succeeded him in 1578.
Johannes Wier died on February 24; 1588 at Tecklenburg,
whilst visiting a sick patient. He was buried in the local
church.
During his life, and afterwards posthumously, books were
published under his name. He wrote for example books concerning
sorcery. Wier was one of the first to be against the prosecution
of witches.
