Johannes Hevelius - Early Life

Early Life

Hevelius' father was Abraham Hewelke (1576–1649), his mother Kordula Hecker (1576–1655). They were German-speaking Lutherans, wealthy brewing merchants of Bohemian origin. As a young boy Hevelius was sent to Gądecz(Gondecz) where he studied Polish language.

Hevelius brewed the famous Jopen beer, which also gave its name to the "Jopengasse"/"Jopejska" after 1945 Piwna Street (Beer Street)), the street where St. Mary's church is located.

After gymnasium, where he was taught by Peter Crüger, Hevelius in 1630 studied jurisprudence at Leiden, then traveled in England and France, meeting Pierre Gassendi, Marin Mersenne and Athanasius Kircher. In 1634 he settled in his native town, and on March 21, 1635, married Katharine Rebeschke, a neighbor two years younger who owned two adjacent houses. The following year, Hevelius became a member of the beer-brewing guild, which he led from 1643 onwards.

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