Luther, Martin (1483–1546)

Abstract

Martin Luther is one of the most important figures in the Protestant Reformation. Today it is believed that Luther's writings, ranging in scope from theological tracts, sermons, and commentaries to translations and polemics, account for approximately 20 percent of all literature printed in Germany between 1500 and 1530. The implications of his split from the Roman Catholic Church triggered the Peasants' Revolution of 1524–5 and paved the way for the Protestant Reformation. His complete translation of the Bible into German (1534) provided access to scripture, which he believed was vital to a personal understanding of God. The standards he set by selecting each word carefully from a vast mix of Germanic dialects often lend him the title of “father of the German language.”