Johann Tetzel

Johann Tetzel (c. 1465–1519) was a German Dominican friar, born at Pirna in Saxony, who became grand commissioner for indulgences in Germany. He studied theology and philosophy at Leipzig before entering the order in 1489, preached the Jubilee indulgence from 1502 and was made inquisitor of Poland in 1509.

From January 1517 he sold indulgences for Archbishop Albrecht of Brandenburg, claiming the money would help rebuild St Peter's in Rome. His preaching moved Martin Luther to publish the Ninety-five Theses later that year. He died at Leipzig in August 1519.