ADAM OF MARSH (de Marisco). - Born toward the end of the 12th century in Somerset, he completed his studies at Oxford, where he obtained degrees in the faculty of Arts. Ordained a priest, he accepted from his uncle Richard, bishop of Durham, the care of souls; but on the latter's death he renounced the rich benefice that had fallen to him and entered the Friars Minor of Worcester. Sent again to Oxford, he perfected himself in philosophy under the guidance of Robert Grosseteste, obtaining at the same time the mastership in theology; this enabled him around 1226 to hold the chair of theology of the convent of Oxford, which until then had belonged to a secular master. He took part in the General Chapter of Assisi of 1239 and was among the champions of the return to the primitive spirit of the Rule. From his position as regent of the Studium generale, which he held until 1247, he firmly maintained a strong scholastic discipline and repeatedly, as chancellor, defended the threatened interests of the university. He also took part, with Simon de Montfort and Robert Grosseteste, in the defense of national liberty and franchise. Shunning honors, feeling his strength fail, he abandoned everything to meet in peace the death that overtook him on 18 Nov. 1258.
He enjoyed exceptional fame and the title of doctor illustris; Roger Bacon numbers him among the maiores clerici de mundo et perfecti in scientia divina et humana (Op. tert., chaps. 22, 23, 25).
His works, according to Little, for the most part on theology and scriptural exegesis, are still unpublished. Brewer (London 1858) published 247 letters, which are a substantial source for the history of religious, political and doctrinal life in the first half of the 13th century.
Bibliography3 works
Cornelio Fabro
ADAM, MAYER (Villicus): v. MAYER.