Astrolog w poszukiwaniu mecenasa
An Astrologer in Search of a Patron

The Case of Jan Latosz and Nicholas Christopher 'the Orphan' Radziwiłł

Summary/Abstract: This article aims at shedding critical light on two episodes in the biography of Jan Latosz (Joannes Latosinus, 1539–1608), which are related to his attempts at gaining the patronage of duke Nicholas Christopher ‘the Orphan’ Radziwiłł (1549–1616). Latosz is well known due to his involvement in calendrical polemics at the end of 16th century. In consequence of his attacks at the newly introduced Gregorian calendar his works have been banned and the astrologer himself was expelled from the Academy of Cracow. Today, we have access to a limited number of his works, mostly those published in 1590s and 1600s and even his major work dedicated to calendar reform remains unknown. Works by Latosz which came down to us either as prints or in the form of manuscript copies provide important, yet fragmentary information about the way he tried to establish relations of patronage with a number of influential figures in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. One of his early prognostications, the "Obwieszczenie" [Announcement] of 1572 was dedicated to duke Radziwiłł, yet it seems that this publication did not result in a long-lasting relationship. However, there is another understudied evidence which can be found in Latosz’s letter to Radziwiłł of 27 December 1594. In the light of this letter, it seems that in 1594 Latosz succeeded to publish another prognostication dedicated to the duke, most likely in hope that Radziwiłł would protect him from the attacks of the Jesuits and Cracow academics. While the article discusses information that can be excerpted from Latosz’s writings addressed to Radziwiłł, the appendices provide editions of the dedicatory letter of 1572 and brief letter of 1594.

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