Author: Administrador

(March 6, 1475–February 18, 1564), was one of the greatest artists in history. The son of Lodovico de Leonardo de Buonarroti Simoni, he lived during the Italian Renaissance and was known for his portrayal of living strength and energy in his paintings, sculptures and architectural designs. In 1508, he began painting the Sistine Chapel and … Continue reading “MICHELANGELO
DE LODOVICO BUONARROTI SIMONI”

(April 22, 1451–November 26, 1504), was the Queen of Castile, who in 1481 married Ferdinand II, King of Aragon, thereby unifying Christian Spain. They successfully drove the Moors from Granada and financed Christopher Columbus’ expedition to the Indies, which resulted in the discovery of America. In her commission to Columbus, Queen Isabella recited that the … Continue reading “ISABELLA
I”

(August 1474–July 17, 1566), was called “the Apostle of the Indies,” as he was one of the first Christian missionaries to minister to the Indians of Latin America. The first priest ordained in the New World, Las Casas became known for his devotion to the oppressed and enslaved natives. He wrote Apologetic History of the … Continue reading “LAS
CASAS, BARTOLOMé DE”

(c.1400–February 3, 1468), was the German inventor of the moveable-type printing press, which helped revolutionize the western world. This invention prepared Europe for the rapid spread of ideas, making the Reformation possible. The first book of significance ever printed was the 42–line Gutenberg Bible, known as the Mazarin Bible, 1455. Johannes Gutenberg wrote: God suffers … Continue reading “GUTENBERG,
JOHANNES”

(1442–1800), was the schoolbook used to teach children to read in early English, and later American, schools. Invented in response to the expense and scarcity of paper, the hornbook consisted of one sheet of vellum or paper pasted to a flat board with a handle, shaped like a table-tennis paddle, and covered over with a … Continue reading “HORNBOOK”

(1451–May 20, 1506), was the Genoese explorer credited with the discovery America. After seven years of trying to convince the monarchs of Europe to finance his expedition, he finally won the support of Queen Isabella of Castille and King Ferdinand of Aragon. Columbus set sail on August 3, 1492, and after the longest voyage ever … Continue reading “COLUMBUS,
CHRISTOPHER”

(c.1372–July 6, 1415), was a professor of philosophy and the rector of the University of Prague, Bohemia. Influenced by John Wycliffe, he insisted on teaching and expounding the Holy Scriptures in the language of the people and inspired a great following, similar to John Wycliffe in England. Amidst great controversy, he was betrayed and martyred. … Continue reading “HUS,
JOHN”

(c.1379–August 8, 1471), was an Augustinian friar at Zwolle in the Netherlands, who wrote the devotional, On the Imitation of Christ, 1420. This work has greatly influenced western writers, including: Martin Luther, Samuel Johnson, George Eliot and Lamartine. In Imitation of Christ, Thomas à Kempis wrote: Be not angry that you cannot make others as … Continue reading “KEMPIS,
THOMAS à”

(1316–1374), was a king of Sweden, Norway and Skaane. He commissioned an Icelandic judge, Paul Knudsen, to lead an expedition to Greenland in 1354: Magnus, by the grace of God, King of Norway, Sweden and Skaane, sends to all men who see or hear this letter good health and happiness. We desire to make known … Continue reading “ERIKSSON,
MAGNUS, II”

(c.1330–December 31, 1384), was a professor at Oxford University, England. He became one of the greatest English religious reformers, writing under the protection of John of Gaunt (1340–1399). His most outstanding achievement was being the first to translate, along with his followers, the Holy Scriptures from the Latin Vulgate into the English language. Known as … Continue reading “WYCLIFFE,
JOHN”