Martin Luther

Martin Luther (1483–1546) was a seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation. He famously authored the "Ninety-five Theses" in 1517, which criticized the Catholic Church's corrupt practices, notably the sale of indulgences. This act is often marked as the starting point of the Reformation. Luther translated the Bible into German, making it more accessible to the general populace and significantly influencing the German language. In 1521, he was excommunicated by Pope Leo X and declared an outlaw by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V at the Diet of Worms. Luther's works, including "On the Bondage of the Will" (1525), challenged established doctrines and reshaped the theological landscape of Christianity.