Desiderius Erasmus

Definition

Desiderius Erasmus (c. 1469-1536) was a Dutch humanist scholar considered one of the greatest thinkers of the Renaissance. A prolific writer who made full use of the printing press, he produced editions of classical authors, educational treatises, translations, dialogues, and letters. Erasmus was a great champion of education, believing this was the best way to reform the medieval church.

More about: Desiderius Erasmus

Timeline

  • c. 1469 - 1536
    Life of the Renaissance scholar Desiderius Erasmus.
  • 27 Oct 1469
    The Renaissance scholar Desiderius Erasmus is born in Rotterdam.
  • c. 1487
    Desiderius Erasmus joins the monastery of the Augustinian monastic order in Steyn.
  • Apr 1492
    Desiderius Erasmus is ordained as a priest.
  • 1495
    Desiderius Erasmus studies theology at the University of Paris.
  • 1499
    The Dutch Renaissance scholar Desiderius Erasmus travels to England.
  • 1500
    Desiderius Erasmus produces his Adagiorum Collectanea, an annotated collection of Greek and Latin adages. It is revised in 1508 and 1515 CE.
  • c. 1504
    The Dutch Renaissance scholar Desiderius Erasmus publishes his Enchiridion Militis Christiani (Handbook of the Christian Soldier).
  • 1506 - 1509
    The Dutch Renaissance scholar Desiderius Erasmus spends time in Italy.
  • 1509 - 1514
    The Dutch Renaissance scholar Desiderius Erasmus stays in England for a second time.
  • 1511
    The Dutch Renaissance scholar Desiderius Erasmus publishes his Moriae Encomium (Praise of Folly) which pokes fun at elements of Catholicism.
  • 1512
    The Dutch Renaissance scholar Desiderius Erasmus publishes his On Copia which teaches students how to argue, revise texts, and produce new ones.
  • 1516
    The Dutch Renaissance scholar Desiderius Erasmus publishes his Latin and Greek translation of the New Testament (Novum instrumentum).
  • 1516 - 1517
    The Dutch Renaissance scholar Desiderius Erasmus publishes his Institutio principis Christiani (Education of a Christian Prince) and Querela pacis (Complaint of Peace).
  • 1518
    The Dutch Renaissance scholar Desiderius Erasmus joins the faculty of theology at the university in Leuven.
  • 1521 - 1529
    The Dutch Renaissance scholar Desiderius Erasmus lives in Basel, Switzerland.
  • c. 1524
    The Dutch Reniassance scholar Desiderius Erasmus publishes his Paraphrases of the Four Gospels.
  • c. 1524
    The Dutch Renaissance scholar Desiderius Erasmus publishes his De Libero Animo, an argument on free will directed against Martin Luther.
  • 1528
    The Dutch Renaissance scholar Desiderius Erasmus publishes his Ciceronianus, an attack on those scholars too preoccupied with Cicero.
  • 12 Jul 1536
    The Dutch Renaissance scholar Desiderius Erasmus dies in Basel, Switzerland.
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