He was born in Frankfurt around 1480. In 1508 he successfully applied for citizenship in Berlin. In June 1508 he went to Altenburg, then decided to settle in Wittenberg (which was a centre of new thought at that time). He lived at 26 Schlossstrasse, close to the market.Plaque at 26 Schlossstrasse Here he befriended Lucas Cranach the Elder, who was a neighbour, as was Christoph Balzer. He set up shop as a goldsmith on the town marketplace. He was made city treasurer soon after arrival. Other friends included Thomas Muntzer, Philip Melanchthon and Johann Bugenhagen, all of whom became leading figures in the Reformation.Lucas Cranach d. Ä. and the Cranachhöfe in Wittenberg. Edited by the Cranach Foundation. Halle / Saale: Central German publisher 1998. .Ulrich Bubenheimer: Thomas Müntzer: Origin and Education. Brill, 1989, , p. 173.
