Andreas Osiander, often called by his German name of Hosemann or Hossmann, a German reformer, born at Gunzenhausen, Fran-coma, Dec. 19, 1498, died Oct. 17, 1552. He studied at Leipsic, Altenburg, and Ingolstadt, became teacher of Hebrew in the Augustinian convent of Nuremberg, and in 1522 pastor of a church in that city, which post he held for 26 years. He joined Luther's party immediately after the attack on indulgences, participated in the conference in 1529 at Marburg between the Swiss and Lutheran divines in regard to the doctrine of the real presence, and was present at Augsburg in 1530, and at Schmal-kalden in 1546. On the promulgation of the Augsburg Interim in 1548 he left Nuremberg, but was invited by Albert, duke of Prussia, to become pastor and professor of theology in the university of Konigsberg. He propagated opinions concerning penitence, the divine image in man, the two natures of Christ, and justification, which were combated by Melanch-thon, and led to a warm controversy, which continued for years after his death, ending in the execution of his son-in-law and partisan Funck and two of his friends for sedition, treason, and promoting the false doctrines of Osian-der, with the formal condemnation of their heresies (1566). Osiander was very learned and eloquent, but a violent controversialist.

He published works on the "Harmony of the Gospels," on the " Last Times and the End of the World," on " Prohibited Marriages," etc.