Sixtus
2 of the 6 encyclopedias on this shelf carry an entry for Sixtus. Both are reproduced below, so you can see where they agree and where they differ.
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
the name of several popes: SIXTUS I., successor of Alexander I. in 119; martyred in 127. SIXTUS II., the successor of Stephen I. He is stated to have been an Athenian and て SIXTUS IV. pagan philosopher before his conversion to Christianity. He was one of those who suffered martyrdom in the persecution of the Christians by Valerianus in 258. SIXTUS III., successor of Celestin I. in 432. He endeavored to reconcile the disputes existing in the Eastern Church, particularly in the case of Cyril, Bishop of Alexandria, and John of Antioch. Some of the epistles which he composed with regard to those controversies are extant, and are included in the collection of Constant. He was also a munificent patron of learning, and is stated to have left 5,000 silver marks to be expended in the embellishment of ecclesiastical structures. He died in 440. SIXTUS IV.; born in Savona, July 22, 1414; was the son of a fisherman on the coast of Genoa, but became a monk of the SIXTUS V. order of the Cordeliers. His abilities procured him the chair of divinity at Padua of Italy. He also and other universities became general of his order, and was honored with the cardinalship by Paul II., whom he succeeded in 1471. He is accused of having been a participator in the conspiracy of the Pazzi, the object of which was to destroy the Medici family. He also endeavored to raise a new crusade against the infidels, but without success. He died Aug. 13, 1484. SIXTUS V. (Felice Peretti), Pope; born near Montalto, Dec. 13, 1521. He entered the convent of the Cordeliers at Ascoli, and by his natural good abilities and his popularity as a preacher made his way rapidly, notwithstanding a petulant temper and frequent contentions with his associates. He was successively Professor of Theology, commissary-general of his order at Bologna, and inquisitor at Venice, whence he fled to Rome and obtained still higher honors and offices. A remarkable change appeared in his character or manners-he showed himself meek and amiable. Pius V., who had been his pupil, got him chosen general of the Cordeliers, named him his confessor, and in 1570, created him cardinal. He was not in favor with Gregory XIII., and it is said that in his retirement he feigned great feebleness. These signs of old age vanished the moment of his election as successor to Gregory in April, 1585. He threw away his staff, and made the place ring with his loud Te Deum. His first care was to repress brigandage. One year of his vigorous government made an immense and beneficial change. Before the end of 1585 Sixtus published a bull of excommunication against Henry of Navarre and the Prince of Condé. After the murder of the Duke of Guise and the Cardinal of Lorraine, he cited Henry III. of France to Rome, and on his non-appearance excommunicated him. During the five years of his pontificate Sixtus formed and executed many great designs for the improvement and adornment of Rome. He caused the famous granite obelisks which Caligula had brought from Egypt to be set up on a pedestal; completed a great aqueduct for the supply of Rome with water; rebuilt the library of the Vatican, and established the celebrated printing office in connection with it; and yet left the treasury rich. Sixtus "confirmed the order of "Feuillants"; established or reformed many congregations for the management of secular or ecclesiastical affairs, and fixed the number of cardinals at 70. He died in Rome, Aug. 27, 1590.
Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)
the Latin name of five popes. The most noted of these is Sixtus IV who occupied the papal chair 1471-84. He was noted as a patron of art and learning. The Sistine Chapel was named for him. He is accused of finding places for a horde of relatives.
What Has Changed in the Last Century
The lives themselves stand as Collier's told them in 1921, but one of Sixtus V's institutions has since fallen away: his fixing of the College of Cardinals at 70, described here as a settled achievement, held for nearly four centuries until John XXIII began exceeding it in 1958, and Paul VI in 1975 instead capped the number of cardinals eligible to vote in a conclave at 120. Modern scholars are also more cautious than Collier's about the precise dates for Sixtus I (119 installed, martyred 127) and about the claim that Sixtus II was an Athenian philosopher before conversion; these come from later tradition rather than contemporary record, though the martyrdom of Sixtus II in Valerian's persecution of 258 is well attested. Aiton's note in 1910 that the Sistine Chapel was named for Sixtus IV remains correct, and the chapel's frescoes, including Michelangelo's ceiling and Last Judgment, underwent a celebrated cleaning and restoration completed in the 1990s. No pope has taken the name Sixtus since 1590, so the list of five is still complete.
Written for this edition, 2026.