Sarpi
PAOLO (surnamed SERVITA). better known by his monastic appellation, FRA PAOLO; an Italian historian; born in Venice Aug. 14, 1552, embraced the monastic life, and took the vows in the religious order of the Servites in 1565. Five years later the Duke of Mantua made him his court theologian; but he was soon after summoned to be Professor of Philosophy in the Servite monastery at Venice, and there he remained all the rest of his life. For nine years, however (1579-1588), he was absent in Rome looking after affairs connected with the reform of the Servite order.
In the dispute between the republic of Venice and Paul V. on the subject of clerical immunities Sarpi stepped forward as the valiant champion of the republic and of freedom of thought. On the repeal (1607) of the edict of excommunication launched against Venice, Sarpi was summoned to Rome to account for his conduct. He refused to obey, and SARPLAR was excommunicated as contumacious; and an attempt was made on his life by a band of assassins. He afterward confined himself within his monastery, ry , where he wrote "History of the Council of Trent," a "History of the Interdict," and other works. The first named was published in London in 1619 under the pseudonym of Pietro Soave Polano, an anagram of Paolo Sarpi Veneto; and it almost immediately rose into popularity with the adversaries of Rome, as well in England as throughout the continent.
He died Jan. 15, 1623.