Tycho Brahe (14 December 1546 – 24 October 1601) was, quite frankly, an example for us all. It is rare indeed that a man should possess scientific acumen, a false nose, a sense of humour, the blood of royalty, and an inspirational moustache. On the other hand, once you see his moustache you begin to understand the rest.

Tycho’s life reads like a story written by an overzealous drama major with a penchant for renaissance fairs, but it all actually happened. Here’s some of the highlights:

1. Born into a family of Danish noblemen, Tycho was kidnapped by his uncle at the age of two. This did not lead to familial dispute however, and Tycho was well educated in Jørgen Brahe’s care, with lessons in Latin and Astronomy.
2. During a duel with Manderup Parsbjerg, Tycho lost the bridge of his nose. However, so far as is known, he did not lose the duel. This led to an interest in medicine and alchemy, and Tycho apparently wore a false nose made of precious metals befitting a nobleman of his stature. The cause of the duel is unknown, but may have been mathematical in nature.
3. Tycho was a party animal. Examples:
   – He kept a dwarf named Jepp (whom Tycho believed to be clairvoyant) as a court jester who sat under the table during dinner.
   – He had a tame elk, but when asked by a nobleman to borrow it for land speed tests, he sadly informed his friend that the elk had drunk a lot of beer, fallen down the stairs, and died.
4. Due to his contributions to scientific research and his general awesomeness, Tycho has a crater on the moon named after him (see below).
5. Tycho had a really great moustache.

When you are next faced with a vexing problem in the course of daily life, it is worth asking yourself “What would Tycho Brahe do?” I am not responsible if this leads to the loss of your nose.

With that, I’m off to find an elk and share a keg of beer. Until next time, dear reader, when we shall portray another Moustached Individual of Distinction and Prowess!