Georg Eder (Oeder) was born in Freising (Bavaria) on 2 February 1523.
A jurist, theologian, ardent humanist and imperial councillor, he was one of the most influential figures at the University of Vienna, considered a highly active representative of the Catholic Counter-Reformation and a close confidant of the Jesuits. He gained great influence at court as a close advisor to three emperors.
Although Eder did not hold a teaching post, he served eleven times (!) as elected rector of the University of Vienna, five times as dean of the Faculty of Law, once of the Faculty of Theology, and as procurator of the Rhenish and Hungarian Academic Nations.
