Gnapheus

Gnapheus (or FULLONIUS),WILHELMUS, was born at the Hague in 1493. He was one of the earliest reformers in the Netherlands. He was rector of the school in his native place, and afterwards counsellor of the Margrave Albert of Brandenburg. He was a man of learning, and specially versed in Latin literature. He shared in the afflictions of his friends, Jan de Bakker or Pistorius, and Cornelis Hoon or Hoen, who became victims to Roman Catholic intolerance and persecution. Released from captivity, he was again seized and condemned to spend three months in a monastery on bread and water. He was permitted to see the cause of the Reformation prosper, and to enjoy the esteem and confidence of his countrymen. He died in 1568, at Norden, of which he was burgomaster. He wrote several works in Latin, which bear evidence of his familiarity with the writings of Erasmus. His most important work is his Life of Johannes Pistorius. It was probably written in 1526, and was published at Prasburg in 1529. Its title is Joh. Pistorii Woerdensis, ob evangelicae veritatis assertionem, apud Hollandos primi omnium exusti martyrium. A new edition was brought out in 1649 by Prof. Reuins of Leyden. See Glasius, Godgeleerd Nederland, 1 D. blz. 531, 532; Ypeij en Dermout, Geschiedenis der Nederlandsche Hervormde Kerk, 1 D. biz. 104, Aanteek. blz. 40 (79); also, Harkenrothii, vitae Gnaphaei descriptio, in Bibl. Bremens. class. 8, fasc. 1, page 111 sq.; Herzog, Real-Encykl. 19:566. (J.P.W.)