Slag bij Leipzig

1616

Moves to Oppenheim

In 1616 he moves to Oppenheim in Germany, where he works for the publisher Johann Theodor de Bry, son of the renowned engraver and traveler Theodor de Bry.

1617

Marries Maria Magdalena de Bry

He marries Maria Magdalena de Bry, the publisher’s daughter, and for a time is associated with the de Bry publishing house.

1620

Fire at Oppenheim and the return to Basel

When Oppenheim is destroyed by fire during the Spanish occupation, the family moves back to Basel.

1623

Takes over his father-in-law’s publishing house

After de Bry’s death he takes over his father-in-law’s publishing house. He took over and completed the later parts and editions of the Grand Voyages and Petits Voyages, originally started by de Bry in 1590, including the volumes India Orientalis and America Occidentalis.

1623

Moves to Frankfurt

Three years after moving back to Basel the family returns to Germany, this time to Frankfurt, where Merian will spend most of his working life.

19 June 1650

Death in Langenschwalbach

After several years of illness he dies in Langenschwalbach, near Wiesbaden, leaving his widow with two small children: his daughter Anna Maria Sibylla (born 1647) and a son, Maximilian, who died before his third birthday.