Medieval Scientist Hildegard von Bingen

Other Medieval Scientists

This time the rather famous Hildegard von Bingen. She was born in 1098 in Germany to a noble family. She claimed to receive Visions from God and started writing them down in 1141. Pope Eugen III allowed her to publish her work, so she became widely known. She also corresponded with both powerful political and religious people of the time and was very influential herself; she might even have been the advisor of Emperor Frederick I. She had enormous self-confidence and was the first nun to preach in public.

Around 1150 Hildegard started writing about Medicine and Biology. Particularly interesting are her works on Plants and Illnesses. Her book Liber subtilitatum diversarum naturarum creaturarum (book on the mysteries of the many natures of creatures) is today divided into two parts: Causae et curae which deals with the cause of Illnesses and treatments, and Physica which deals with the natural world and contains chapters on Metal, Plants, Animals and Stones.

It should also be noted, that she wrote songs, of which 77 are known today.

In the catholic church Hildagard von Bingen is revered as a saint and doctor of the church.

The Illustration at the top right shows a depiction of the universe according to Hildegard von Bingen

upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia…