

This paper presents a couple of important libraries in Augsburg. By contrasting the collections of Konrad Peutinger (1465–1547) and his son Christoph (1511–1576) with those of Anton (1551–1618), Paulus (1555–1620) and Markus (1558–1614) Welser the alternating importance of modern languages will be demonstrated.
Furthermore the library of the physician Jeremias Merz (ca. 1535–1585) will be examined. Merz who studied in France and Italy is an important translator of Greek, French and Italian literature. All of his works in modern languages were financed by the famous publishing house of Georg Willer. Though only a few books of this library have survived, his collection is known by a printed library catalogue.
The central thesis of this presentation is that to understand the dynamics of modern languages aquisition in the second half of 16th century the importance of the networks of the merchants and bankers in the main German trading centres should not be underestimated.
Hans-Jörg Künast, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg