Final answer:
Max Weber, a German polymath, explored the link between Protestantism and the rise of capitalism, particularly through the Protestant work ethic, in his work 'The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism'.
Step-by-step explanation:
The German polymath who wrote extensively on religion and the origins of capitalism was Max Weber. Notably, in his seminal work 'The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism' (1905), Weber explored how the Protestant work ethic, especially within Calvinism, spurred the development of capitalism. He posited that the values of hard work, frugality, and success espoused by Protestantism were conducive to capitalistic growth, differentiating it from the community-oriented nature of Catholicism which he saw as less supportive of capitalism.
Weber established a sociology department at the Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich and his theory remains a subject of debate within sociology and the study of religion. His perspectives on the interplay between religion, particularly Protestantism, and the rise of modern capitalist societies have had a significant impact on the understanding of socio-economic development.