Laurentius Paulinus Gothus (10 November 1565 – 29 November 1646) was a Swedish theologian, astronomer and Archbishop of Uppsala.
Biography
Gothus was born Lars Paulsson at Söderköping in Östergötland County, Sweden. In 1588, Gothus travelled to Germany and studied in the Rostock University for three years. He was influenced by Pierre de la Ramée (1515–1572) and his philosophy.
After receiving a Master's degree, he returned to Uppsala in time for the Uppsala Synod in 1593 where the founding dogmas of the Church of Sweden were made final. He was appointed professor of logic at the recently reopened, and now Lutheran focused, Uppsala University. In 1598 he re-transferred himself to the professorship in astronomy.
Gothus served as Bishop of the Diocese of Skara (1608–1609) and Bishop of the Diocese of Strängnäs (1609–1637). In 1628, he was tasked with the investigation of the visionary Margareta i Kumla. Her visions and alleged meetings with demons and angels were described by Bishop Gothus in a meeting of the Swedish clergy in 1629. During the reign of Christina, Queen of Sweden, Gothus served as Archbishop of Uppsala and Primate of Sweden from 1637 to 1646.
Works
Laurentius wrote many theological and astronomical works and also published calendars. He furthermore published a thorough Ethica Christiana 1615–30, a work in six parts in Swedish about Lutheranism. Following this, he in 1631 wrote a summary of this work which has been called the prime catechetical work from 17th century Sweden. He also wrote some historical works about Swedish history.
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