Sorbonne
an establishment founded at Paris in 1253 by Robert de Sorbon, chaplain to St. Louis, for certain secular priests, who should devote themselves to the study of and gratuitous instruction FF-Cvo Vol 8 1 SORDELLO in theology. The celebrity of its doctors, the crowds of scholars who sought its degrees, gave the Sorbonne a European fame, which steadily grew from the 14th to the 17th century, from a branch of the theological faculty, it became the faculty itself; its voice was paramount in matters of faith. It was abolished in 1792, revived in 1821 and in 1852 given to the city of Paris and incorporated in the University. New buildings were erected in 1889. The Sorbonne Chapel, where Richelieu is buried, is still standing. The University is admirably constructed for the purposes of higher education. There are over 100 professors and instructors and about 10,000 students.
SORDELLO (sor-del'lo), an Italian poet; born in Gioto, near Mantua, about 1180. He composed poems in the language of Provence, of which 34 remain. One of the most celebrated passages Dante is on the subject of this poet, and Browning's "Sordello" (1840) is founded on the story of his life. He died about 1269.