Johann Winter von Andernach, also known as Johannes Guinther, Johannes Winter and variants (1505, Andernach – 4 October 1574, Strasbourg) was a physician, university professor, humanist, translator of ancient, mostly medical works, and writer of his own medical, philological and humanities works. He died, aged about 69, in Strasbourg.
The family and youth of Winter von Andernach are not well known. He probably came from a poor family and attended the town school in Andernach. He left his hometown in 1517 as a teenager. He had a sharp mind, was very curious and was always looking to increase his knowledge. He later moved to Utrecht, where he studied Art and ancient Greek. Here he met Lambert van den Hove (1510?-1574, Lambertus Hortensius). He also met John III, Duke of Cleves, who will later become his patron.
Johann Winter (Johannes Winther) von Andernach, so called because he was born in Andernach, experienced many variations of his name throughout his life. When the name "Winter" was translated into Italian and Latin, the "W" was replaced by "Gue" or the "Wi" replaced by "Gui," giving rise to the name "Guenther" and all of its derivatives. Since "Guenther" or "Gunter" was and is a well known German name, it was considered his real name. Thus Johann Winter is known by the following names:
in Germany: Johann Winter, Johann Winter von Andernach, Johannes Winther (von Andernach), Johann Gwynther von Andernachin France: Gonthier d’Andernach, Jehan Guinter d’Andernachin Italy: Ioannes Guinterius Andernacus, Guenter Andernacusin Latin: Guintherus Andernacus, Ioannes Guinterius AndernacusOther variations are "Johann Guenther von Andernach", "Johann Günther of Andernach", "Johann Guinterus (Guintherius) von Andernach ". In addition, he also had a kind of pen name - Ionas Philologus, Johann the philologist.
Syntaxis Graeca. Paris, 1527 (Greek syntax).Galen's Works translated into LatinDe anatomicis administrationibus. 9 vols, Paris, 1531.De Hippocratis et Platonis placitis. Paris, 1534.Anatomicarum institutionum, secundum Galeni sententiam. 4 vols, Paris and Basel, 1536; Venice, 1538; Padua, 1558.Clavdii Galeni Pergameni Medicorvm Omnivm Ferè principis opera, nunc demum a clarissimis et eruditis viris latinitate donata, iam vero ordine justo, et studio exquisito re in lucem recens edita. Quibus, ut solidae veraeque medicinae, non poenitendam operam olim indulsisse iuvabit. Basel, Cratander (Andreas Leennius) 1529; 27 Galen texts into Latin by 9 different translators including Johann Winter as "Ionas Phil."Opus de re medica 7 vols. (Medical works of Paul of Aegina), Paris, 1532; translated from the Greek into Latin.Institutiones anatomicae. Paris, 1536, 4 vols, standard work for physiciansAlexander of Tralles's Works. Strasbourg 1549 and 1556; translated into LatinDe victus ed medicinae ratione cum alio tum pestilentiae tempore observanda commentarius. Strasbourg 1542; composed under the direction of the Strasbourg city council, French by Antoine Pierre 1544, of Winter 1547 in the titleInstruction très utile par laquelle un chacun se pourra maintenir en santé, tant au temps de peste, comme autre temps. Strasbourg 1544 and 1547; in GermanSehr praktische Anweisung, durch die ein jeder sich gesund halten kann, besonders in Pestzeiten wie in anderen Zeiten.Bericht, Regiment, und Ordnung wie die Pestilenz und die pestilenzialische Fieber zu erkennen und zu kurieren. Strasbourg, 1564Bericht und Ordnung in disen sterbenden leuffen der Pestilentz, auf befelch eines ersamen Rahts der Statt Straßurg. Gestellet durch Johann Gwynther von Andernach. Strasbourg, Rihel, 1564.De pestilentia commentarius in quatuor dialogos distinctus. Strasbourg, 1565.De medicina veteri et nova tum cognoscenda tum faciunda commentarij duo. Basel: Ex Officina Henricpetrina, 1571.
