AGUSTIN, ANTONIO. — Distinguished Spanish jurist and theologian, b. in Saragossa on Feb. 26, 1517, d. in Tarragona on May 31, 1586. He studied in Salamanca, Padua, and Bologna, where he was a pupil of Alciati; appointed auditor of the Rota in 1544 on the recommendation of Charles V, he became ten years later apostolic nuncio in England, and in 1557 bishop of Alife (Benevento); he took part in the Council of Trent (1561), was bishop of Lerida (1561), and finally archbishop of Tarragona (from 1576).
Endowed with vast learning, acute critical spirit, and a mind open to new currents in scientific thought, A. was versed in all branches of law, but particularly excelled in the study of canon law, applying to it the historical method already in vogue among the interpreters of Roman law. For this reason he was defined by Schulte as 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 of A.’s works were reprinted in Lucca in 1772.