Another famous member of the Paris Faculty of this period, and a man
whose life-story reads like a romance, was Joannes Guinterius, the
beggar of Deventer. Guinterius (Gonthier, Guinther, Guinter, Winter, or
Winther), who is often called John Winter of Andernach, from the name of
the town in which he was born, lived between the years 1487-1574, and
rose to eminence in both the literary and the medical worlds. Born of
humble parents, he was sent at an early age to the University of
Utrecht. Leaving this institution because of his poverty, he went to
Deventer where he was reduced to the necessity of begging in the
streets. He drifted to the University of Marburg, and here displayed
such brilliant talents that he soon obtained employment as a teacher in
the small town of Goslar, in Brunswick. His growing reputation for
learning led to his appointment to the chair of Greek in the noted
University of Louvain.
[Illustration: WINTER OF ANDERNACH]
Desiring to study medicine, Guinterius went to Paris in 1525; he
received the Bachelor’s degree in 1528, and the full medical title two
years later. He passed a brilliant examination which won for him the
commendation of the most eminent professors. Remaining in Paris, he
engaged in practice and in teaching, and rapidly rose to eminence. In
addition to conducting courses in anatomy, he translated into Latin the
writings of the most noted Greek medical authors of antiquity—the books
of Galen, of Oribasius, of Paul of Aegina, of Caelius Aurelianus, and of
Alexander of Tralles—all of which were held in high esteem in the
sixteenth century. His fame reached far beyond the boundaries of France.
Christian III., the enlightened king of Denmark, who was noted for his
love of literature, sought to attach him to the Danish court, but the
honor was refused. Having become a convert to the religious views of
Luther, Guinterius found that his life was in danger; he left Paris and
resided for a time in Metz. He soon removed to Strassburg, where he was
received with distinguished honors and was appointed to a professorship
in the University. Owing to the activity of his enemies, his position
became insecure; accordingly, he resigned his chair and spent a
considerable time in travelling throughout Germany and Italy. In the
year 1562, Ferdinand I., in appreciation of the great merits of
Guinterius, raised him to the highest distinction by placing him among
the nobles of the land; and thus the beggar of Deventer became a
nobleman of Strassburg. His life ended October 4, 1574.
Like Sylvius, Guinterius was a teacher of men who became greater than
himself—Vesalius, Servetus and Rondelet sat upon his benches. Like
Sylvius, he placed his faith in Galen and failed to grasp the great
truth that anatomical science is based, not on the writings of the
Fathers but on dissection of the dead body.