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Sebastian Münster (1488-1552) was born in a small village on the Rhine. He studied arts and theology at Heidelberg, 1503-1508, during which time he joined the Franciscan Order. His study in the next few years broadened his knowledge of mathematical geography and cartography, and he published several works on the subject, as well as works on hebraistics. The latter won him a post as Chair of Hebrew at the University of Basel, which he took up in 1529 and remained in until his death from plague in 1552. Münster left the Franciscan Order and adhered to Lutheranism. During the remainder of his life he became the leading cartographer and geographer in Germany. The Cosmographia consisted of detailed geographical descriptions and depictions of Germany, and was first published in 1544.