GEILER, JOHANNES di KAYSERBERG. — Popular preacher of the pre-Reformation period, born at Schaffhausen on 16 March 1445; died at Strasbourg on 10 March 1510. Having completed his philosophical and theological studies at Freiburg im Br., from 1478 until his death he was entrusted with preaching in the cathedral of Strasbourg, where a special pulpit was erected for him.
Inspired by the doctrine of Gerson, whose works he had published (3 vols., Strasbourg 1510), he branded, unsparingly and without pity, the deviations and vices of his age, sparing no one—neither bishops nor prelates, neither secular nor regular clergy, neither the powerful nor the humble. He did so in a style entirely his own: lively and original, beginning with the titles of his sermons, which were greatly enjoyed by the crowds, and rich in examples and images (following and commenting on the work of his friend Sebastiano Brant, Norrenschief, of which he had produced the Latin version [ibid. 1498]); but it was also excessively pungent and sarcastic, satirical, and even buffoonish. An attempt was made to present him as a precursor of the «Reformation», because many «reformers» freely exploited his attacks on the Church and the clergy; in reality, he always remained a devoted and obedient son of the Church, austere in his way of life and generous toward the poor and the sick. He was responsible for the establishment at Strasbourg of a hospital for syphilitics, who were neglected by everyone. His reputation for learning and virtue attracted the attention of Emperor Maximilian, who would have liked to have him at his side; but G. never wished to leave Strasbourg.
His posthumous fame is due not so much to the popular form of his sermons as to the fact that their content constitutes an almost inexhaustible source for the history and customs of the clergy and the people. He was buried at the foot of the pulpit from which he had lavishly dispensed his teaching.
He wrote: Seelenparadies (Strasbourg 1510); Das irrig Schiff (ibid. 1510); Das Buch Granatopfel (ibid. 1510); Das Schiff der Pömitens (ibid. 1514); Die Emeis (ibid. 1516), a collection of his sermons.