Wilhelm Maurenbrecher
Karl Peter Wilhelm Maurenbrecher was a German historian.
He was born in Bonn and studied in Berlin and Munich under Leopold von Ranke and Heinrich von Sybel, being especially influenced by the latter historian. After conducting research work at Simancas in Spain, he successively became an associate and full professor of history at the University of Dorpat.
Afterwards, he attained professorships in history at Königsberg, Bonn and Leipzig, where he was successor to his late friend Carl von Noorden.
As a Protestant historian, Maurenbrecher felt an obligation to treat Catholic history objectively. He shared Ranke's views in regards to the common origin of the Protestant and Catholic Reformations. He chose the term "Catholic Reformation" as an indication of it being a positive tendency of reform rather than a defensive reaction to the Protestant Reformation. Maurenbrecher depicted the Dutch scholar Erasmus as a pioneer and proponent of Catholic reform.Literary works
Many of Maurenbrecher's works are concerned with the Reformation, among them being:
- England im Reformationszeitalter - England and the Age of Reformation.
- Karl V. und die deutschen Protestanten - Charles V and the German Protestants.
- Studien und Skizzen zur Geschichte der Reformationszeit - Studies and sketches on the history of the Reformation.
- Geschichte der Katholischen Reformation - History of the Catholic Reformation.
Other writings by Maurenbrecher include:
