Johann Jacob Grasser

Johann Jacob Grasser (24 February 1579 – 20 March 1627) was a scholar and polyhistor of Basel. He studied theology and was active as a poet, in the sciences and in geography. He was ''Magister Artium'' and ''Poeta laureatus'' in Basel in 1601. He travelled across Switzerland and in Europe during 1603 to 1608. When he was in Nîmes, he wrote a treatise on the Roman antiquities there which was reprinted several times. In 1607, he was given the title of Count Palatine by the Imperial Commissioner in Padua, from which time he styled himself as ''Ioannes Iacobus Grasserus, Civis Romanus, Comes Palatinus''.

He was pastor in Bennwil and Hölstein during 1610 to 1612, and sacristan at St. Theodore church in Basel during 1612 to 1627. He published various editions and translations, besides his own works of moderate Calvinist theology, historiography and travel literature. His 1624 Swiss ''Heldenbuch'' is without historiographical value but noted for its social criticism. Provided by Wikipedia