About
Dutch Renaissance scholar and leading Christian humanist. He produced a critical Greek New Testament (1516) and wrote satirical works such as The Praise of Folly. He criticized church abuses while remaining loyal to Rome, opposing Luther on free will.
Major works
- Moriae Encomium (1509)satire
- Adagia (1500)collection of adages
- Enchiridion Militis Christiani (1504)devotional manual
- Novum Instrumentum Omne (1516)New Testament edition
- Colloquia (1519)dialogues
Key milestones
- 1466Born in Rotterdam, Burgundian Netherlands.
- 1516Published the first printed Greek New Testament.
- 1536Died in Basel, Switzerland.
Themes
Christian humanismSatire of ecclesiastical abusesEducation and scholarshipFree willChurch reform
Sources: iep.utm.edu · letterenfonds.nl