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Desiderius Erasmus
(Netherlands: A Great Humanist and A Scholar)
Life: Desiderius Erasmus was born on Oct. 27, 1469 in Rotterdam, Holland [now in The Netherlands] and died on July 12, 1536 in Basel, Switzerland. Erasmus was the second son of Roger Gerard, a priest, and Margaret, a physician's daughter. After education, he accepted a post as a Latin secretary to the influential Henry of Bergen, bishop of Cambrai. Erasmus was not suited to a courtier's life. To support his classical studies, he began taking in pupils from the year 1497.
Influence and achievements: He was a humanist who was the greatest scholar of the northern Renaissance, the first editor of the New Testament, and also an important figure in patristics (the study of the writings and background of the church fathers) and classical literature. His major works include theological, educational and other writings.
QUOTES: "The most disadvantageous peace is better than the most just war."
"A nail is driven out by another nail. Habit is overcome by habit."
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