Alcuin of York (c. 735 – May 19, 804) was an English scholar, who became a leading teacher at the Carolingian court.
Alcuin was born in Yorkshire, England, sometime in the 730s. Virtually nothing is known of his parents, family background, or origins.
He was educated at the cathedral school of York and became the head of the school in 778.
During a mission to Rome in 780, Alcuin became acquainted with Charlemagne. He took up residence at Charlemagne's court in Aachen two years later.
Alcuin conceived new forms of education reconciling the classical studies of antiquity with those of religious texts. The reforms that he initiated led to the opening of schools throughout the Holy Roman Empire.
After a brief visit back home to England in 790, Alcuin returned to Charlemagne's court. In 794 at the Council of Frankfurt Alcuin led the successful fight against adoptionism, a heretical belief then dividing the Catholic church.
Alcuin was appointed abbot of Marmoutier Abbey near Tours in 796. The appointment was made with the understanding that Alcuin should be available if Charlemagne ever needed his counsel. He remained there until his death.
As abbot of Marmoutier Abbey, Alcuin encouraged the work of the monks on the beautiful Carolingian minuscule script, ancestor of modern Roman typefaces.
Alcuin had a reputation for holiness, yet he is not included in the canon of saints and never advanced to holy orders beyond those of deacon.
He wrote many letters, works on rhetoric, and poems. Alcuin's letters are among the most valuable sources of information about the social life and humanistic learning of 8th-century France. Picture below shows Raban Maur (left), supported by Alcuin (middle), dedicating his work to Archbishop Otgar of Mainz (Right)
 |
| Alcuin, roof figure, Museum of History of Arts, Vienna. By © Hubertl Wikipedia |
Alcuin was born in Yorkshire, England, sometime in the 730s. Virtually nothing is known of his parents, family background, or origins.
He was educated at the cathedral school of York and became the head of the school in 778.
During a mission to Rome in 780, Alcuin became acquainted with Charlemagne. He took up residence at Charlemagne's court in Aachen two years later.
Alcuin conceived new forms of education reconciling the classical studies of antiquity with those of religious texts. The reforms that he initiated led to the opening of schools throughout the Holy Roman Empire.
After a brief visit back home to England in 790, Alcuin returned to Charlemagne's court. In 794 at the Council of Frankfurt Alcuin led the successful fight against adoptionism, a heretical belief then dividing the Catholic church.
Alcuin was appointed abbot of Marmoutier Abbey near Tours in 796. The appointment was made with the understanding that Alcuin should be available if Charlemagne ever needed his counsel. He remained there until his death.
As abbot of Marmoutier Abbey, Alcuin encouraged the work of the monks on the beautiful Carolingian minuscule script, ancestor of modern Roman typefaces.
Alcuin had a reputation for holiness, yet he is not included in the canon of saints and never advanced to holy orders beyond those of deacon.
He wrote many letters, works on rhetoric, and poems. Alcuin's letters are among the most valuable sources of information about the social life and humanistic learning of 8th-century France. Picture below shows Raban Maur (left), supported by Alcuin (middle), dedicating his work to Archbishop Otgar of Mainz (Right)
 |
| A Carolingian manuscript, c. 831 |
One phrase of Alcuin is frequently quoted, from a letter to Charlemagne in 800: Vox populi, vox Dei (the voice of the people is the voice of God). In isolation it sounds like an early call for democracy, but this was precisely the opposite of Alcuin's meaning. He urges the emperor that "those people should not be listened to who keep saying Vox populi, vox Dei, since the riotousness of the crowd is always very close to madness."
His words “Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise,” begin many Anglican services.
Alcuin died on May 19, 804, some ten years before the emperor, and was buried at St. Martin's Church, Tours.
Alcuin died on May 19, 804, some ten years before the emperor, and was buried at St. Martin's Church, Tours.
Alcuin produced the epitaph for his own gravestone, which reads “My name was Alchuine, and wisdom was always dear to me.”
The impetus given to humanistic studies by Alcuin and his successors led not only to a revival of learning but also to the development of the Carolingian minuscule, a script that influenced the handwriting of the Renaissance in Italy and, indirectly, the Roman letters of the early Italian typesetters, from which modern type is derived.
The impetus given to humanistic studies by Alcuin and his successors led not only to a revival of learning but also to the development of the Carolingian minuscule, a script that influenced the handwriting of the Renaissance in Italy and, indirectly, the Roman letters of the early Italian typesetters, from which modern type is derived.
No comments:
Post a Comment