STUMPF, JOHANNES

born April 23, 1500, Bruchsal, Baden died 1578, Zrich, Switz. Swiss chronicler and theologian, one of the most important personalities of the Swiss Reformation. Stumpf entered the order of the Knights of St. John in Freiburg im Breisgau in 1521 and a year later was appointed prior at Bubikon, Zrich. He there declared himself for the Reformation and, as a friend of Huldrych Zwingli, worked faithfully for the Reformers until his retirement in 1562. Stumpf's reputation rests upon his Gemeiner loblicher Eydgnoschafft Stetten, Landen und Vlckeren chronikwirdiger Thaaten Beschreybung (154748), probably the most famous of Swiss chronicles, describing the deeds of places, lands, and people of the confederation. It was a standard work until the 18th century.