FELIÓO y MONTENEGRO, BENITO JERÓNIMO. - Spanish Benedictine and writer, b. 8 Oct. 1676 at Casdemero (Orense), d. 26 Dec. 1764 at Oviedo, where he had taught theology.
A “free citizen of the republic of letters,” as he liked to call himself, he subjected the philosophical ideas of his time to sound criticism, while remaining strongly attached to the doctrine of the Church. In his work in 8 vols., El Teatro crítico (Madrid 1726–40; 2nd ed. ibid. 1941 ff.), he reviews contemporary medical, physical, political, philosophical, theological, historical, and literary ideas. He replied to his opponents with 6 vols. of Cartas eruditas (ibid. 1741–60), which reveal his constructive talent.
BIBL.: M. Menéndez y Pelayo, Historia de las ideas estéticas en España, IV, Madrid 1904, p. 370 ff.; M. Morayta, El p. F. y sus obras, Valencia 1912; G. Delpy, Bibliographie des sources françaises de F., Paris 1936; G. Marahón, Las ideas biológicas del p. F., Madrid 1941; anon., s. V. ENOCH. Eur. Am., XXIII, pp. 1159–62. Anscario Mundé y Marcet