Paul Speratus

German protestant preacher, reformer and hymn-writer (13 December 1484 – 12 August 1551). In 1523, he helped Martin Luther (3) to create the first Lutheran hymnal, published in 1524 and called "Achtliederbuch". His original surname, Latinized to "Speratus," may have been "Spreter," "Hoffer," or "Offer." In later years he would write his name as "von Rötlen" (of Rötlen) or "von Ellwangen, Priester der Diöcese Augsburg" (of Ellwangen, Priest of the Diocese of Augsburg).