The Tree of Europe · Person

Martin Luther

A German theologian whose criticism of indulgences set off the Protestant Reformation. His break with Rome transformed the religion, politics and culture of Europe.

1483 – 1546Theologian and religious reformerNo identified house · ES

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Contemporary portraitMartin LutherLucas Cranach the Elder · 1528Veste Coburg / Wikimedia CommonsPublic domain · PDM 1.0 · Source

Biography

Life of Martin Luther

The friar of Wittenberg

Born at Eisleben in 1483, Luther studied law in Erfurt until entering the Augustinian order in 1505. A doctor of theology, he taught at the University of Wittenberg, where his reading of Saint Paul led him to the idea of justification by faith.

References: Deutsche Biographie · Encyclopaedia Britannica

The Ninety-Five Theses

In 1517 he circulated his Ninety-Five Theses against the preaching of indulgences. The controversy widened to encompass the authority of the pope and church councils. Excommunicated in 1521, he refused to recant before Charles V at the Diet of Worms. Elector Frederick of Saxony protected him at Wartburg Castle, where he translated the New Testament into German.

References: Deutsche Biographie · Encyclopaedia Britannica

Reformer

He organised an evangelical church with a German liturgy, catechisms and married pastors; he himself married Katharina von Bora in 1525. He condemned the peasants’ revolt that year. He died at Eisleben in 1546, shortly before the Schmalkaldic War. His German Bible shaped the written language.

References: Deutsche Biographie · Encyclopaedia Britannica

This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.

Historical profile

Key details

Birth: 10 November 1483 Documented

Death: 18 February 1546 Documented

Role: Theologian and religious reformer

Dynasty: No identified house · ES

Territories: Holy Roman Empire (ES) · Saxony (ES)

Family network

Recorded relationships

No direct relationships are recorded for this person.

Documentation

Sources for this profile

Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.

Evidence for this profile

2 recorded claims · 0 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.

Dates (2/2 with a precise source)

BirthDocumented
10 November 1483
The authority record gives the birth as 1483-11-10.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Luther, Martin · Vital data: birth date
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
DeathDocumented
18 February 1546
The authority record gives the death as 1546-02-18.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Luther, Martin · Vital data: death date
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·

Biographical and contextual references (2)

Editorial history

2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.