Philip Melanchthon (1497 - 1560) was a prominent figure in the German Reformation, best known as Martin Luther's colleague and co-reformer at Wittenberg. A scholar and theologian, Melanchthon was extensively trained in humanist studies and became a professor of Greek and theology at Wittenberg University. He is recognized for his significant contributions to Protestant theology, particularly through his work "Loci Communes" (1521), which is considered the first systematic theology of the Reformation. Melanchthon also played a crucial role in drafting the Augsburg Confession of 1530, a key statement of Lutheran beliefs. Throughout his career, he emphasized the importance of education and was instrumental in reforming and establishing universities across Protestant Germany, earning him the title "Preceptor of Germany". Melanchthon's approach to scriptural study, combining knowledge of original languages with philosophical analysis, became foundational for early modern exegesis and theology. His prolific writing career resulted in 709 published works on various subjects, including religion, history, and linguistics.

Reformers