14th February
Birth of Nicolaus Copernicus
Birth of Nicolaus Copernicus
Historical biography timeline
Nicolaus Copernicus biography timeline
Explore a static chronology of 15 World History Database records for Nicolaus Copernicus. The page is generated from the same biography records used by the searchable database, making important life events directly crawlable and readable.
15 records
1473–1543 record span
15 event labels
1 country
Life and historical importance
Nicolaus Copernicus: life, career and historical significance
Renaissance astronomer who proposed that Earth and the planets orbit the Sun. His heliocentric model, published in 1543, challenged the dominant geocentric system and provided the conceptual starting point for the astronomical revolution.
Editorial overview by World History Database. The chronology below is generated from the site's structured biography records.
Chronology
Nicolaus Copernicus: dated events and historical records
Records are ordered by year, month and day where dates are available. The wording below comes from the World History Database biography collection.
1473
1491
1491
Mathematical and Astronomical Education
Receives training that supports his later work on planetary motion.
1491
University of Krakow Studies
Begins university studies in mathematics, astronomy and related liberal arts.
1496
1496
Assistant to Domenico Maria Novara
Works with astronomer Domenico Maria Novara and develops practical observing experience.
1496
Studies at Bologna
Begins legal studies while continuing astronomical observations in Bologna.
1514
1514
Commentariolus
Circulates a short manuscript outlining a heliocentric planetary system.
1514
Early Heliocentric Outline
Presents an early account of Earth moving around the Sun.
1543
24th May
De revolutionibus Published
His major astronomical work De revolutionibus is published in 1543.
24th May
Death of Copernicus
His death coincides with publication of De revolutionibus.
24th May
Death of Nicolaus Copernicus
Dies at Frombork in the same year his major work appears.
24th May
On the Revolutions Published
The book presents a mathematical heliocentric model of the cosmos.
1543
Copernican Model
His published model challenges the traditional geocentric arrangement.
1543
Copernican System
Outlines the Copernican system of the solar system
1543
Heliocentric System
Places Earth among the planets moving around the Sun.
1543
On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres
Publication of "On The Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres"
Search the database
Research Nicolaus Copernicus in Biography Search
Use the interactive Biography search to combine this person with country, category, sub-category and event filters.
Editorial provenance
Sources and editorial review
Compiled and edited by World History Database
Biography timelines are compiled from the World History Database and checked against established historical and biographical reference sources.
Last reviewed: September 2026.
Reference points include Encyclopaedia Britannica biographies, The National Archives, Library of Congress, and U.S. National Archives. Individual database records may draw on additional specialist sources appropriate to the person, period or event.
Related biographies