Botzheim, Johann Von

Botzheim, Johann Von a Swiss theologian, was born in 1480 at Botzheim, near Schlettstadt. He studied at Heidelberg, and having completed his studies in Italy, where he was made doctor of canon law, he was appointed after his return, in 1512, dean of Constance. In 1518 he became acquainted with some of Luther's writings, and became greatly attached to Luther and his cause. In 1520 he wrote to Luther, encouraging him in his work; but he soon turned his back upon him. In 1527 he was obliged to leave the place, and went to Freiburg, whiere he died in 1535. He was on very good terms with Erasmus, and it was mainly his influence which led Erasmus to write the Catalogus Elucubrationum. See Dollinger, Reformation, 1:519; Walchner, Johann von Botzheim und seine Freunde (Schaffhausen, 1836); Hartmann, in Allgemeine deutsche Biographie, 3:208; Gopfert, in Wetzer u. Welte's Kirchenlexikon, s.v. (B.P.)