In memoriam Ubbo Emmius (1547-1625)

On the 9th December 2025 it is 400 years since Ubbo Emmius passed away in Groningen. He was one of the founders of the University of Groningen (1614) and its first chancellor (rector magnificus). He was also the first professor of history and Greek at our university. 

It is therefore not surprising that he bequeathed much of his books and other works to the University of Groningen Library (UL). He gifted a copy of his magnum opus Rerum Frisicarum historia (History of Friesland) to the UL.

This work demonstrates that Ubbo was a classical humanist in the tradition of Rudolph Agricola, Erasmus of Rotterdam and Regnerus Praedinius. Their conviction was well summarised by Erasmus as a kind of adage: Homines non nascuntur, sed finguntur (‘Human beings are not born, but made’). They all value language, morals and a quest for the truth as the basis of a good education for citizens in a society. Ubbo Emmius and his contemporaries founded the University of Groningen on this basis. 

Ubbo’s own quest for the truth is shown not only in his monumental masterpiece, but also in his work more generally. He made a map of Frisia, for instance, because he felt extant maps were not reliable enough. He used the Chronicle of Wittewierum as a source for his magnum opus, as is evident from the many notes Ubbo made in the margins of the chronicle. Another example is a small book from 1600 in which the author defends a fellow-historian from Oldenburg against criticism of Ubbo Emmius. Ubbo’s own copy of this publication is full of annotations, in which he airs his grievances against both gentlemen. This work is a good example of books from Ubbo’s private collection which have ended up in the UL Groningen.

In addition to books that belonged to Ubbo, the UL also has books of others in which Ubbo has left his mark. A beautiful example is his contribution to the album amicorum of his friend Herman Pricker, who—like Ubbo himself—hailed from Ostfriesland.

The most personal texts of Ubbo which are kept at the library, are the letters which he wrote to his friends and acquaintances. They tell us what occupied and motivated him and reveal his extensive network. One of these letters, written on the 15th December 1609, is addressed to Nicolaus Mulerius, who later also became professor in Groningen and the first librarian of the UL. 

On the 9th of December 1625 this distinguished founder of the Academy in Groningen passed away.

As was customary to commemorate a professor, a programma (announcement) was published, in which the deceased was characterized. The text makes plain how esteemed Ubbo was: ‘As chancellor, he was so outstanding that his teaching brought forth a wealth of pious and learned men. [...] He thus ensured that people will remember his name forever with gratitude.’

In 1526 Albrecht Dürer engraved the following words on his famous portrait of Erasmus:

ΤΗΝ ΚΡΕΙΤΤΩ ΤΑ ΣΥΓΓΡΑΜΜΑΤΑ ΔΕΙΧΕΙ
‘His texts will paint a better picture’

This motto also applies to Ubbo Emmius. He is best portrayed by his books and letters in the University of Groningen Library.