ALBERT THE GREAT

(Albertus Magnus ) (c. 1200–1280)

The dominant scholastic of the 13th century, and teacher of Aquinas . An encyclopaedic figure, known as the Doctor Universalis, Albert was prominent in the attempt to synthesize newly discovered Aristotelian and Platonic learning with the Christian tradition. He wrote commentaries on Aristotle and many others, and showed an especial sympathy with the empirical approach to nature. His works include the Summa de Creaturis (trs. as Handbook of Doctrine concerning Creatures ) and the Summa Theologiae or handbook of theology.