Jacob Kurz von Senftenau

Who was Jacob Kurz von Senftenau?

Jacob Kurz von Senftenau was the Imperial pro-chancellor for the Emperor Rudolph II. In addition to high politics he was also a contact between the Emperor and contemporary scholars, notably the astronomer Tycho Brahe.

Jacob Kurz was born to a noble family whose many members filled high governmental position for the Habsburgs during the 16th and 17th century. He was given good education that included natural sciences. 1579–1586 he served in Reichshofrat, 1585–1594 in Geheimer Rat, 1587–1593 as Reichsvizekanzler Amtsverwalter, 1593–1594 as Reichsvizekanzler. Kurz, as a high official at the Imperial court in Prague, built a splendid house near the Prague Castle.

Kurz organized the move of Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe to Prague. Brahe arrived in 1594 and was offered to live in Kurz's house. Brahe lived and died there in 1601. Kurz also designed a quadrant for the astronomer.

Jacob Kurz died during smallpox epidemy in Prague and was interred in St. Thomas Church in Josefská street, Prague.