Nicolaus Copernicus was a Renaissance mathematician and astronomer. He is famous for his formulation of a heliocentric theory of our galaxy. This theory suggested that the Earth and other planets revolved around the sun, which is located at the center of our solar system. This heliocentric model was the opposite of what people believed before, that the sun and other planets revolved around the Earth. Copernicus was a genius of his time and made a breakthrough in the field of astronomy. He is known as the initiator of the scientific revolution. Copernicus had a rather rough life at first, due to the loss of his father, but he still managed to do very well in life. He was born on February 19, 1473 in Poland. He was the youngest of four children. His father was a wealthy merchant while he was alive, but died when Nicolaus was only ten years old. This left him and his three brothers under the protection of their uncle, Lucas Watzenrode. Watzenrode was a successful cleric, who would become a bishop. He took great care of Copernicus by instructing him and facilitating his advancement in the church.N...