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Anselm of Canterbury

ST., a scholastic philosopher, born at or near Aosta, in Piedmont, in 1033. In 1060 he entered the monastery of Bec in Normandy of which, in 1078, he became abbot. It was then the most famous monastic school. His friend Lanfranc, who had gone to England, and become Archbishop of Canterbury, died in 1089; and the diocese remained four years without a successor, till in 1093 Anselm was appointed. He was distinguished both as a churchman and a philosopher. His numerous embroilments with William Rufus and his successor, and the unbending spirit which he displayed in these, even when subjected to banishment, indi cate the resoluteness of his character.

Anselm was a second Augustine, superior to all his contemporaries in sagacity and dialectical skill, and equal to the most eminent in virtue and piety. He sought to reduce the truths of religion into the form of a connected series of reasonings.

It was for this purpose he wrote his "Monologion." In his "Proslogion," he strove to demonstrate the existence of God. His "Cur Deus Homo" (English translation by Prout, 1887) argues the necessity of the Incarnation, all subsequent speculation on which it was profoundly influenced. Besides his philosoph ical treatise, his "Meditations and Let ters" have come down to us, revealing his humble, fervent faith. His works first supplied the impulse to justify Scripture and the Church by reason. He died April 21, 1109, and was buried next to Lanfranc at Canterbury. In 1494 he was canonized.