AGUSTIN, ANTONIO. - Distinguished Spanish jurist and theologian, b. at Saragozza on 26 Feb. 1517, d. at Tarragona on 31 May 1586. He studied at Salamanca, Padova, and Bologna, where Aleciati was his teacher; appointed auditor of the Rota in 1544 at the proposal of Carlo V, ten years later he became apostolic nuncio in England, then, in 1557, bishop of Alife (Benevento); he took part in the Council of Trent (1561), became bishop of Lerida (1561), and finally archbishop of Tarragona (from 1576).
Endowed with broad learning, a keen critical spirit, and a mind open to the new currents of scientific thought, A. was versed in every branch of law, but particularly excelled in the study of canon law, to which he applied the historical method, already current among interpreters of Roman law. For this reason as well, Schulte called him: the Cujas of canon law.
His principal works: Antiquae collectiones Decretalium (1576); De nominibus propriis Pandectarum (1579); Canones poenitentiales (1581); De legibus et senatusconsultis Romanorum (1583); Repertorium decisionum rotalium (1584); De emendatione Gratiani (1587); Epitome iuris pontificii in tres partes divisa (1587). All A.'s works were reprinted at Lucca in 1772.