Desiderius Erasmus

Desiderius Erasmus

Desiderius Erasmus (1466 – 1536) was a Dutch philosopher and Christian scholar who is widely considered one of the greatest scholars of the northern Renaissance. As a Catholic priest, Erasmus was an important figure in classical scholarship who wrote in a pure Latin style. Among humanists, he enjoyed the sobriquet "Prince of the Humanists"; he has been called "the crowning glory of the Christian humanists".

Early Life

Erasmus was born in Rotterdam, in the Burgundian Netherlands, on October 28, 1466. His father, Gerard, was a priest, and his mother, Margaretha, was the daughter of a physician. Erasmus was educated at the school of the Brethren of the Common Life in Deventer, where he developed a love for learning and a deep appreciation for the classics.

Education and Career

Erasmus entered the Augustinian monastery at Steyn, near Gouda, in 1487. He was ordained as a priest in 1492. However, he found monastic life confining and was able to leave the monastery to pursue his studies. He attended the University of Paris, where he studied theology and became acquainted with the works of the classical authors.

Erasmus traveled extensively throughout Europe, visiting England, Italy, and Switzerland. In England, he formed friendships with leading scholars such as Thomas More and John Colet. He taught at Cambridge University and was a member of the intellectual circle that included Thomas Linacre and William Grocyn.

Major Works

Erasmus is best known for his critical edition of the New Testament, which he published in 1516. This work laid the foundation for subsequent translations of the Bible into vernacular languages. His other notable works include In Praise of Folly (Moriae Encomium), a satirical critique of the Church and society, and Adagia, a collection of Greek and Latin proverbs.

In Praise of Folly

In Praise of Folly is one of Erasmus's most famous works. Written in 1509 and published in 1511, it is a satirical essay that criticizes the superstitions and corrupt practices of the Church and the folly of mankind. The work is dedicated to his friend Thomas More, and its title is a pun on More's name (Moria means folly in Greek).

The Education of a Christian Prince

In The Education of a Christian Prince (Institutio Principis Christiani), published in 1516, Erasmus outlines his vision of a Christian ruler. He emphasizes the importance of education, moral integrity, and the welfare of the people as the primary duties of a prince.

Legacy

Erasmus's works had a profound impact on the Protestant Reformation and the Catholic Counter-Reformation. Although he remained a Catholic throughout his life, his calls for reform and his emphasis on a return to the original texts of the Bible influenced reformers such as Martin Luther.

Erasmus's legacy is that of a scholar who sought to harmonize classical learning with Christian faith. His works continue to be studied for their insights into the human condition and their advocacy for peace and understanding.

Death

Erasmus died on July 12, 1536, in Basel, Switzerland. He was buried in the Basel Minster.

References

• Johan Huizinga, Erasmus and the Age of Reformation
• Roland Bainton, Erasmus of Christendom

External Links

• Encyclopaedia Britannica: Desiderius Erasmus
• Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Erasmus