I read a book a few years back that alleges that Kepler killed Tycho Brahe, stole his research, and then published it as the Rudolphine Tables. If it is true or not, I don't know, but it is clear Brahe was the better scientist having done years of research on which Kepler's model was based. Kepler may be famous for creating a new model of planetary motion, but it is based on Brahe's observations.

The other important take away from Kepler, is this is where 'natural philosophy' splits into scientific materialism and religious mysticism. This split has been the defining feature of Western knowledge and civilization ever since. I would argue this split is the single most important event in Western philosophy and created the 'Modern' world.