Renaissance and Reformation Biographies | Desiderius Erasmus Biography

October 27, 1466
Rotterdam, Netherlands
July 12, 1536
Basel, Switzerland

Humanist scholar

"In the country of the blind the one-eyed man is king."

Desiderius Erasmus.

The Dutch scholar Desiderius Erasmus was the foremost humanist in northern Europe (see accompanying box for a description of humanism). He promoted a method called philology (study of language used in literary texts) in the study of the Bible (the Christian holy book). Erasmus also popularized works by ancient and early Christian writers. Known as a "Christian humanist," he combined Christian teachings with classical ideals. In his own time, even critics did not dispute that he was the reigning "prince of humanists." His admirers credited him with the single-handed revival of literary study in Germany. For some years Erasmus enjoyed celebrity status. He was sought after by other scholars...