Leonhard Fronsperger (c. 1520–1575) was a Bavarian German soldier and author. He received the citizenship of

Ulm Ulm () is a city in the German state of Baden-Württemberg, situated on the river Danube on the border with Bavaria. The city, which has an estimated population of more than 126,000 (2018), forms an urban district of its own (german: link=no, ...

in 1548 and served in the imperial army during 1553–1573, under

Charles V Charles V may refer to: * Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor (1500–1558) * Charles V of Naples (1661–1700), better known as Charles II of Spain * Charles V of France (1338–1380), called the Wise * Charles V, Duke of Lorraine (1643–1690) * Infant ...

Ferdinand I Ferdinand I or Fernando I may refer to: People * Ferdinand I of León, ''the Great'' (ca. 1000–1065, king from 1037) * Ferdinand I of Portugal and the Algarve, ''the Handsome'' (1345–1383, king from 1367) * Ferdinand I of Aragon and Sicily, '' ...

and Maximilian II. He retired and received a pension from Maximilian in 1566. He became a military expert in the service of the city of Ulm, and died in an accident while on an inspection in 1575. His major work is the ''Kriegsbuch'', published in three parts in 1573, a sweeping overview over the military theory and technology of his time. He also wrote an early treatise on the economic theory of

self-interest Self-interest generally refers to a focus on the needs or desires (''interests'') of one's self. Most times, actions that display self-interest are often performed without conscious knowing. A number of philosophical, psychological, and economic ...

(''Von dem Lob deß Eigen Nutzen'', 1564), anticipating the gist of the Mandeville's paradox.

References

*Carl von Landmann: Fronsperger, Leonhart. In: Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie (ADB). Band 8, Duncker & Humblot, Leipzig 1878, 145. *Max Huber: Fronsperger, Leonhardt. In: Neue Deutsche Biographie (NDB). Band 5, Duncker & Humblot, Berlin 1961, , 662. {{Authority control 1575 deaths People from the Duchy of Bavaria Military theorists German military writers Year of birth uncertain Military personnel from Ulm