John of Salisbury

The so-called “Renaissance of the Twelfth Century” cannot be fully imagined without the later bishop of Chartres, John of Salisbury (c. 1120–25 October 1180), considering his numerous contributions to philosophy, theology, education, and political sciences, as we would call it today. Author of major works such as Policraticus, sive de nugis curialium et de vestigiis philosophorum, the Metalogicon, the Life of Thomas Becket, John also composed two poems, the Entheticus major and Entheticus minor, both addressing philosophical themes, and numerous letters which he sent out during his time as secretary to the archbishop of Canterbury. While John made a major contribution to the political discourse at his time, he also deeply influenced western thinking about the purpose of education.