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Vincent de BeauvaisDominican monk, theologian, encyclopedist, philosopher and teacher.
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 Dominican r. |
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Biography of Vincent of Beauvais
Vincent of Beauvais was a Dominican monk, theologian, encyclopedist, philosopher, and educator. He was born in 1190 in Beauvais. In approximately 1228, he joined the Dominican Order, and around 1246, he became the subprior of the Dominican monastery in Beauvais. In the late 1240s, he was welcomed into the court of the French king Louis IX as a librarian and chaplain. Vincent passed away in 1264.
The Mirror of Knowledge
Vincent's most significant work is the monumental universal encyclopedia called "Speculum majus" or "The Mirror of Knowledge." This encyclopedia consists of four parts. It provided extensive information on philosophy, history, and natural sciences. It included commentaries on excerpts from ancient authors and theological works. Overall, "The Mirror of Knowledge" represented a systematic compilation of knowledge during that time. It was written in Latin and comprised 80 books and 9885 chapters, making it the most significant encyclopedia of the Middle Ages.
The first part of the encyclopedia covered a wide range of natural sciences, including astronomy, alchemy, biology, and more. The second part focused on theological questions. The third part explored the history of humanity from the creation of the world to 1254. The fourth part addressed moral and ethical issues.
Influence and Other Works
"The Mirror of Knowledge" was translated into numerous languages and held great influence and authority for several centuries. Vincent of Beauvais also wrote other works, including "On the Education of Noble Children" (De eruditione filorum nobilum) and "On the Moral Instruction of Rulers" (De morale principis institutione).
The treatise "On the Education of Noble Children," written around 1246, discussed topics such as finding a good teacher, factors that hinder or promote learning, methods of education, and the advantages of early education. Vincent of Beauvais spent some time as a monk in the Cistercian monastery of Royaumont near Paris, where he lectured and aimed to convey the best of ancient and Christian heritage to his audience. The treatise was written to assist court teachers at the request of the queen.
