JOHN of SALERNO (J. of CLUNY). - Born in Rome, he led an unworthy life, as he himself affirms, when in 939 he met St. Odo of Cluny. This saint, invited to Pavia by Hugh to reform the monastery of St. Peter in Ciel d'Oro, took John with him, gave him the monastic habit, and shortly afterward entrusted him to the care of Prior Hildebrand. On his return to Rome he was still accompanied by the new disciple, who then followed him to Cluny.
On account of his virtues and abilities, John was soon appointed prior of St. Paul’s outside the Walls in Rome. Here he is found again upon Odo’s return in the winter of 940, and likewise in 942. It is also known that during this period he made a brief journey to Naples on business concerning St. Paul’s. Later he became abbot of a monastery in Salerno, where he wrote the Vita Odonis, drawing not only on his own knowledge but also on the testimony of other disciples of the saint. The year of his death is unknown.