Johannes Kepler: Life, Work & Legacy Early Life and Education Born on December 27, 1571, in Weil der Stadt, Germany, to Heinrich Kepler and Katharina Guldenmann. A challenging childhood: Premature birth and subsequent illness left him with weak health. His father was a mercenary often absent, and his mother was an herbalist. Demonstrated exceptional mathematical ability from a young age, impressing visitors to his grandfather’s inn. Attended the University of Tübingen, initially intending to become a Lutheran minister, but excelled in mathematics under Michael Maestlin. Became fas…