Michel de Nostredame ( December 14 or December 21 , 1503 â `` July 2 , 1566 ) , also known as Nostradamus , was a French apothecary and allegedly a doctor . He is famous as a ` seer ' who wrote collections of prophecies that have since become famous around the world . Michel de Nostredame ( 14 or 21 December 1503 â `` 2 July 1566 ) , usually Latinised to Nostradamus , was a French apothecary and reputed seer who published collections of prophecies that have since become famous worldwide .