PVLD Adult Services Blog

Nicolaus Copernicus, 16^th century Polish astronomer and Catholic priest, was given a hero’s burial on May 22^nd in the cathedral where he served as canon.  His remains, kept in an unmarked grave for nearly 500 years, were recently authenticated through DNA testing.

A local bishop had spearheaded the efforts to honor Copernicus, a man little known in his lifetime.  He is recognized as the founder of the heliocentric theory, which posited that the sun, not the earth, was the center of the solar system.  The theory, forcefully attacked by the Church during the Reformation, became the basis for the Scientific Revolution.

Library resources: Copernicus and his revolution