Robert de Sorbonne French theologian, founder of a college in Paris, the so-called Sorbonne House Date of Birth: 09.10.1201 Country: France

Biography of Robert de Sorbonne

Robert de Sorbonne was a French theologian and the founder of the College in Paris, known as the Sorbonne. Born on October 9, 1201, in the village of Sorbonne, he came from a humble family. Pursuing a career in the clergy, he went on to study in Reims and Paris. During this time, he became known for his piety and eloquence, which earned him the patronage of Count d'Artois and King Louis IX of France, also known as Louis the Saint.

In 1251, Robert became a canon in Cambrai, and seven years later, he was appointed as a canon and spiritual advisor to the king in Paris. Around 1253, he began to have his first students, and in 1257, he founded the Sorbonne College in Paris. The college was funded by King Louis and initially aimed to educate twenty poor students in theology. In 1259, after receiving the blessing of the Pope, Robert de Sorbonne's college became one of the centers that led to the formation of the University of Paris. Despite not being the first college established in Paris, the theological faculty and the university itself eventually became known as the Sorbonne.

Robert de Sorbonne served as the chancellor of the university, taught, and preached at the college until his death on August 15, 1274. Gradually, nearly all the theology professors of the University of Paris gathered at the Sorbonne, leading to the terms "Sorbonne" and "Theological Faculty" becoming practically synonymous from the beginning of the 16th century.