Desiderius Erasmus

Erasmus’ health gave away in 1536. Due to his failing health, he accepted an invitation by Queen Mary of Hungary, Regent of Netherlands to move from Freiburg to Brabant.

It was while he was preparing for his departure to Brabant that he fell ill. He died on 12 July 1536, from an attack of dysentery during a visit to Basel. Despite being loyal to the papal authorities, Erasmus was not given the last rites of the Catholic Church.

Desiderius Erasmus was born on October 27, 1466 in Rotterdam, Netherlands to Gerard, a Catholic priest and Margaretha Rogerius. His parents were not legally married. He was christened Erasmus, meaning beloved.

Young Erasmus received the highest level of education available to children then. He attended school at the age of four and by nine was enrolled in the most prestigious Latin grammar school. It was therein that his love for academics blossomed.

A brilliantly talented student, Erasmus’s academic career was abruptly cut short after a plague epidemic killed both his parents in 1483. Following their death, he was put under the care of his guardians who were adamant about him becoming a monk.

Impoverished state of being forced him to take up a monastery life in 1492. He became a canon regular at the canonry of Stein and by the age of 25, was ordained as the Catholic priest. However, he did not actively work as a cleric.

An opportunity to leave the canonry came in when Erasmus was offered the post of a secretary to the Bishop of Cambrai, Henry of Bergen which he gladly accepted. He received a temporary dispensation from his religious life on grounds of poor health and love of humanistic studies.

Erasmus’ life changed dramatically following his appointment as the secretary to Henry of Bergen in 1493. Bishop Henry was so impressed by his Latin skills that he rewarded Erasmus by sending him to Paris to study classical literature.

In 1495, Erasmus travelled to Paris where he was first introduced to Renaissance humanism. He studied in the College de Montaigu, a centre of reforming zeal, at the University of Paris under the guidance of ascetic Jan Standock.

It was at the University of Paris—the chief seat of scholastic learning which was slowly turning to Renaissance humanism—that he befriended Italian humanist, Publio Fausto Andrelini, Professor of Humanity.

In Paris, Erasmus engaged much of his time writing poetry, experimenting with educational writing and moving in scholastic circles. One of his pupils, William Blount arranged a stipend for Erasmus which allowed him to correspond with some of the most brilliant thinkers of Europe during his travels from city to city.

In 1499, Blount offered Erasmus to travel to England. In England, he befriended the most skilled and proficient leaders including John Colet, Thomas More, John Fisher, Thomas Linacre and William Grocyn, who had a compelling influence on him.

In 1516, Erasmus came up with his magnum opus, ‘Novum instrumentum omne’ which was a heavily explained edition of the New Testament. The book was highly sought after by scholars and educated Europeans as its content and interpretation of scripture challenged the age-old theological thinking that had been dominating the society. Through the book, he aimed at spreading classical knowledge that would in turn promote better understanding between people and help them turn to the roots of Christian tradition.