Jean Taisnier

Jean Taisnier (1508 to 1562), also Taisner or Johannes Taisnierius, surnamed Hannonius, was a Wallonian musician, mathematician and astrologer born at Ath in the Habsburg Netherlands, who published a number of works and taught in various European cities and universities. He was for some time schoolmaster of the boys of the Chapel at the court of Emperor Charles V. By 1559 he styled himself Poet Laureate and Doctor of both Laws, though on what authority is unknown. He propounded a general theory of mathematics in four quantities, astronomy, geometry, arithmetic and music, but became preoccupied with astrology and cheiromancy and neglected to publish his advertised treatise on music. His unacknowledged use of the work of other authors has brought an accusation of plagiarism. He was the son of the Wallonian merchant Thomas Taisnière of Ath, the great-uncle of David Teniers the Elder, and died at Cologne.