Nicolaus Copernicus waas born on February 19, 1473, in the city of Thorn, in Royal Prussia, part of the Kingdom of Poland. While he was born to a family of means, his brother Andreas became an Augustinian priest, and his sister Barbara became a Benedictine nun and prioress. His other sister, Katharina, married a prominent businessman and politician. Copernicus himself never married or had children. Both parents died when Copernicus was still young, and his uncle, Lucas Watzenrode the Younger, continued to care for him and his siblings, seeing to their educations and careers. Continue reading →