# Desiderius Erasmus

## Biography

Desiderius Erasmus, born in Rotterdam around 1466, emerged as a leading voice of the Northern Renaissance. Orphaned young, he was educated by the Brethren of the Common Life and later ordained a Catholic priest, though he yearned for a life of scholarship beyond the monastery walls. Erasmus became a prominent humanist, dedicated to revitalizing classical and early Christian learning. His most significant contribution was his groundbreaking 1516 edition of the Greek New Testament, a scholarly endeavor that significantly impacted both the Protestant Reformation and Catholic reform movements. A prolific writer, satirist, and translator, Erasmus penned works like "The Praise of Folly," offering nuanced critiques of society and the Church. He traveled extensively across Europe, cultivating a vast network of intellectual connections and advocating for peace and tolerance in a time of religious upheaval. Erasmus remained a lifelong Catholic, tirelessly working for internal church reform until his death in Basel in 1536.

## Books

- [In Praise of Folly: Illustrated with Many Curious Cuts](https://samolit.com/books/96352)