Tritheim (Lat Trithemius), Johann

Tritheim (Lat. Trithemius), Johann a German historian and theologian, was born at Trittenheim, near Treves, Feb. 1, 1462, being the only son of John of Heidenberg and Elizabeth of Longway. His early education was conducted in a desultory manner, but in 1482 he entered the Benedictine abbey at Spanheim, where the next year he was elected abbot, and administered its affairs with great zeal. In 1506 he exchanged this position for a similar one in the abbey of Wiurzburg, where he remained till his death, Dec. 27, 1516. His many learned writings are enumerated in Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Géneralé, s.v. The principal ones are, De Scriptoribus Ecclesiarstiis (1492): — Polygraphia (1518): — Stenographia (1531).