Nostradamus. Artwork of Nostradamus (1503-66), the French physician and astrologer who wrote a widely-read book of predictions. Born Michel de Notre Dame, Nostradamus rose to prominence as a gifted healer whilst dealing with an outbreak of the plague. From about 1547 he wrote prophesies about the future based on astrological calculat- ions. These were published as Centuries in 1555 & contained prophecies from 1550 to the predicted end of the world in 3793. The prophecies were written in rhyme and were so vague as to allow a range of interpretations. However, Nostradamus became very popular and was made a personal physician to King Charles IX. Image from 1840.