Background
Sturm was born at Strasbourg, where his father, Martin Sturm, was a person of some importance.
Sturm was born at Strasbourg, where his father, Martin Sturm, was a person of some importance.
He was educated at the universities of Heidelberg and Freiburg, and about 1517 he entered the service of Henry, provost of Strasbourg (d 1555), a member of the Wittelsbach family.
He was responsible for the policy of Strasbourg during the German Peasants" War. Represented the city at the Diet of Speyer in 1526. And at subsequent Diets gained fame by his ardent championship of its interests.
Owing largely to his influence, Strasbourg joined the Schmalkaldic League in 1531.
The troops of Strasbourg took the field when the league attacked Charles V in 1546. But in February 1547 the citizens were compelled to submit, when Sturm succeeded in securing very favourable terms from the emperor.
He was also able to obtain for his native city some modification of the Interim issued from Augsburg in May 1548. Sturm is said to have been in the pay of Francis I of France, but this seems very unlikely.
He founded the Bibliothek in Strasbourg, where he died.
He soon became an adherent of the reformed doctrines, and leaving the service of the provost became a member of the governing body of his native city in 1524.
He was on friendly terms with Philip, landgrave of Hesse.
