Paulus Hector Mair

Paulus Hector Mair (1517–1579) was a German civil servant and fencing master from Augsburg. He collected Fechtbücher (combat manuals) and undertook to compile all knowledge of fencing in a compendium surpassing all earlier books. For this, he engaged the painter Jörg Breu the Younger, as well as two experienced fencers, whom he charged with perfecting the techniques before painting illustrations of them. The project was very costly; it took four years and, according to Mair, consumed most of his family's income and property. Three versions of his compilation and one manuscript have been preserved.

Mair spent huge sums of money on his collections and projects. He also had an expensive lifestyle, frequently hosting receptions for important burghers of Augsburg. His own income was not sufficient for this and for many years, he misappropriated funds from the city treasury, the supervision of which he had been entrusted since 1541. Mair's embezzlements were discovered in 1579 and he was hanged as a thief at the age of 62.