Erasmus, Desiderius

Erasmus, Desiderius (about 1466-1536), Dutch religious writer.

Desiderius Erasmus was the name used by Gerrit Gerritzsoon, and both parts of it mean 'lovable'.

As a young man, he entered a monastery and became a Catholic priest but later gave up the priesthood.

In his time people in all parts of Europe were arguing about the Catholic Church. These arguments led to the Reformation.

Erasmus joined in the arguments with his writings but he did not (as Martin Luther and others did) leave the Catholic Church.

In his lifetime, Erasmus lived in many different places: in Holland, Switzerland, France, Italy and England.

In England he was a friend of another great scholar, Sir Thomas More.

Erasmus wrote many books. He wrote a great deal about the problems human beings have to face. Scholars still read these writings today for they contain much wisdom.

See Desiderius Erasmus The Praise of Folly and Other Writings