History & Biography
Storia, Storici E Biografie Varie · 3,275 articles · Principal contributors · All subjects-
Arsenius Autoreianus (ARSENIO AUTOREIANO)
ARSENIUS AUTOREIANUS. - Born in Constantinople in the early 13th century, he changed his name from George to A. when he entered the… -
Artemius (ARTEMIO)
ARTEMIUS. - Ancient commander of Egypt under the emperor Constantius, ordered beheaded by Julian the Apostate in June 362. A violent Arian,… -
Artemyev, Pyotr (ARTÉMIEV, PIOTR)
ARTEMYEV, PYOTR. - Russian deacon, b. around 1665 at Surdal, d. a martyr of the Catholic faith in the prison of the Solovetsky Monastery,… -
Asan (Asen)
ASAN (ASEN). - Name of a Bulgarian dynasty (1186-1258) begun by the three brothers A.: John, Peter and John, who founded the second… -
Ascellino (Asselino, Anselm) (ASCELLINO (ASSELINO, ANSELMO))
ASCELLINO (ASSELINO, ANSELM). - Dominican, a native of Lombardy, known for the embassy to the Mongols entrusted to him by Innocent IV. The… -
Aschbach, Joseph von
ASCHBACH, JOSEPH von. - German Catholic historian, b. at Höchst on 29 Apr. 1801, d. at Vienna on 25 Apr. 1882. Having obtained his degree… -
Aschhausen, Johann Gottfried
ASCHHAUSEN, JOHANN GOTTFRIED. - B. at Oberlauda in 1575, d. at Regensburg in 1622. In 1609 he was elected archbishop of Bamberg by that… -
Asclepiades of Gaza (ASCLEPIADE DI GAZA)
ASCLEPIADES OF GAZA. - A defender of the consubstantiality of the Word, he was opposed by the Arians, who at the Council of Antioch (330)… -
Ashoka (Pāli Aśoka) (AŠOKA (PĀLI AŠOKA))
ASHOKA (PĀLI AŚOKA). - Emperor of India, nephew of the founder of the Maurya dynasty, Candragupta. Having ascended the throne in 272 B.C.,… -
Ashurbanipal (Aššur-bāni-aplu "Assur Creates an Heir") (ASSURBANIPAL (AŠŠUR-BĀN-APLU « ASSUR CREA UN EREDE »))
ASHURBANIPAL (Aššur-bāni-aplu "Assur Creates an Heir"). - Assyrian king from 669 to 626 B.C., son and successor of Esarhaddon (v.). He… -
Asia Minor (Ἀσία ἡ ἐλάττων, ἡ μικρά Ἀσία) (ASIA MINORE. ('ΑΣΊΑ Ἡ ἘΛΆΤΤΩΝ, Ἡ ΜΙΚΡΆ ἈΣΊΑ))
ASIA MINOR (Ἀσία ἡ ἐλάττων, ἡ μικρά Ἀσία). - A rather late designation (4th century AD: cf. Orosius, I, 2) that preceded in learned usage… -
Asiatic Civilization, East (ORIENTE ASIATICO, CIVILTÀ DELL')
ASIATIC CIVILIZATION, East. - The peoples who constituted the civilization of Asia and wove its historical fabric are China in the east,… -
Asot I
ASOT I. - King of Armenia, first of the Bagratid dynasty in 885-90, created by the caliph Muhammad Pullah, at the unanimous request of the… -
Aspromonte, Battle of (ASPROMONTE, SCONTRO DI)
ASPROMONTE, Battle of. - The tortuous attitude of the Rattazzi cabinet, which seemed to promise, if not support, at least benevolent… -
Asser, Giovanni
ASSER, GIOVANNI. - English historiographer, b. in the country of Wales, at Menevia, d. in 909, was raised in the monastery of St. David. He… -
Astalli, Fulvio
ASTALLI, FULVIO. - Born at Sambuci near Tivoli, of a noble Roman family, died in Rome in 1721. Clement X, bound to him by ties of kinship,… -
Astengo, Giambattista
ASTENGO, GIAMBATTISTA. - Priest, b. at Savona in 1817, d. near Balaclava on 3 May 1855. Educated in the Piarist Schools, after spending… -
Asterius of Cappadocia (ASTERIO DI CAPPADOCIA)
ASTERIUS OF CAPPADOCIA. - A rhetorician by profession, described by St. Athanasius as a "many-headed sophist and advocate of the Arian… -
Astolf, King of the Lombards (ASTOLFO, RE DEI LONGOBARDI)
ASTOLF, King of the Lombards. - He succeeded his brother Rachis in 749. Resuming the anti-Byzantine policy of his predecessor, before July… -
Astrain, Antonio
ASTRAIN, ANTONIO. - Jesuit and historian, b. at Undiano (Navarre) on 17 November 1857, d. at Loyola on 4 January 1928. Endowed with… -
Astros, Paul-Thérèse-David de
ASTROS, PAUL-THÉRÈSE-DAVID de. - Cardinal, b. at Tourvès on 15 Oct. 1772, d. at Toulouse on 29 Sept. 1851. He entered the clergy in the… -
Astroy, Barthélemy d'
ASTROY, BARTHÉLEMY d'. - Belgian Franciscan, famous controversialist and ascetical writer, b. at Ciney (Namur), d. at Liège on 6 Dec. 1681.… -
Astyages (Greek Ἀστυνάγης; Hittite in Cuneiform Documents) (ASTIAGE (GRECO ἈΣΤΙΝΆΓΗΣ; ITTUEGGU NEI DOCUMENTI CUNEIFORMI))
ASTYAGES (Greek Ἀστυνάγης; Hittite in Cuneiform Documents). - Last king of Media (584-50 B.C.), son of Cyaxares (v.). Around 553 Cyrus… -
Athanaric (ATANARICO)
ATHANARIC. - Condottiero visigoto, figlio di Rotesteo, « giudice », ossia capo dei Tervingi stanziati sul Danubio, antagonista di… -
Athanasius, African Bishop (ATANASIO, VESCOVO AFRICANO)
ATHANASIUS, African Bishop. - Named by Sozomen (Hist. eccl., IV, 15) in connection with the fourth Council of Sirmium (358). He was at the… -
Athens (Ἀθ/νχ) (ATENE ('ΑΘ/ΝΧΙ))
ATHENS (Ἀθ/νχ). - Capital of Attica and of the present Kingdom of Greece. SUMMARY: I. A. in antiquity. - II. A. in the Bible. - III.… -
Athos, Mount (ATHOS, MONTE)
ATHOS, MOUNT. - It is the easternmost of the three peninsulas that extend southward from the Chalcidian peninsula. It is almost 50 km long… -
Attila
ATTILA. - He was the leader of the Huns around the middle of the 5th century, at first together with his brother Bleda, then, after the… -
Aubé, Benjamin
AUBÉ, BENJAMIN. - Historian, b. in Paris on 1 Dec. 1826, d. there on 24 June 1887. A professor in several lycées in France: Pau, Angoulême,… -
Aubusson, Pierre d'
AUBUSSON, PIERRE d'. - Cardinal, b. in 1423, d. at Rhodes in 1503. Enrolled early in the Order of the Knights of Rhodes, he rose through… -
Audisio, Guglielmo Andrea
AUDISIO, GUGLIELMO ANDREA. - Priest, educator, scholar and teacher of ecclesiastical disciplines, b. at Bra in 1802, d. at Rome on 28 Sept.… -
Augustine of Alfeld (Aveldensis) (AGOSTINO D'ALFELD (AVELDENSIS))
AUGUSTINE OF ALFELD (Aveldensis). - German Franciscan controversialist, b. at Alfeld (Hanover) in the second half of the 15th century and… -
Augustus, Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus (Gaius Iulius Caesar Octavianus Augustus) (AUGUSTO, GAIO GIULIO CESARE OTTAVIANO (GAIUS IULIUS CAESAR OCTAVIANUS AUGUSTUS))
AUGUSTUS, Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus (Gaius Iulius Caesar Octavianus Augustus). - Son of Gaius Octavius and of Atia (daughter of Julia,… -
Aulard, François-Victor-Alphonse
AULARD, FRANÇOIS-VICTOR-ALPHONSE. - Historian of the French Revolution, b. at Montbron on 19 July 1849, d. at Paris on 23 Oct. 1928.… -
Auner, Carol
AUNER, CAROL. - Priest and publicist, b. in Venice in 1865 and d. in Bucharest in 1932. He studied at the Catholic Seminary of Bucharest.… -
Aurelian (Lucius Domitius Aurelianus), Roman Emperor (AURELIANO (LUCIUS DOMITIUS AURELIANUS), IMPERATORE ROMANO)
AURELIAN (Lucius Domitius Aurelianus), Roman Emperor. - Born in Pannonia, he was a valiant soldier and commander; he ascended the throne in… -
Auscentius, Bishop Of Durostorum (AUSSENZIO VESCOVO DI DUROSTORO)
AUSCENTIUS, BISHOP OF DUROSTORUM. - He lived in Moesia Secunda (Silistria, in Bulgaria), in the 4th century, a disciple of Ulfilas, the… -
Auto Da Fé
AUTO DA FÉ. - According to our lexicographers the a. d. f., a Spanish-Portuguese phrase, would be "the execution of a sentence of the… -
Auxentius (Auxentios), Intrusive Bishop of Milan (AUSSENZIO ('ΑΥΞΉΝΤΙΟΣ), VESCOVO INTRUSO DI MILANO)
AUXENTIUS (Auxentios), Intrusive Bishop of Milan. - The emperor Constantius, having driven Bishop Dionysius from Milan, enthroned there the… -
Ávalos, Ferdinando Francesco d', Marquis of Pescara (ÁVALOS, FERDINANDO FRANCESCO D', MARCHESE DI PESCARA)
ÁVALOS, Ferdinando Francesco d', Marquis of Pescara. - Born in 1490 and died in Milan, as a result of a war wound, in 1525. As a vassal of… -
Àvari
ÀVARI. - Of Mongol race, coming from the Asian plateau, with a marked affinity to the Huns, the A. turned, a little after the middle of the… -
Avedikian, Gabriel
AVEDIKIAN, GABRIEL. - Mechitarist of Venice, b. in Constantinople in 1750, d. on 24 Dec. 1827, professor of theology and rhetoric at St.… -
Avempace (Abū Bakr ibn al-Šāʾig, also known as Ibn Bājjah or Bājjah, Latinized as Avempace) (AVEMPACE (ABŪ BAKR IBN AY-ŠĀ'IG, DAL SOPRANNOME DI IBN BĀǦǦAH O BĀǦAH, CHE I LATINI VOLSERO IN AVEMPACE))
AVEMPACE (Abū Bakr ibn ay-Šā'ig, from the nickname of ibn Bāǧǧah or Bāǧah, which the Latins rendered as Avempace). - Philosopher,… -
Aventinus, Johannes (Johann Turmair)
AVENTINUS, Johannes (Johann Turmair). - Born at Abensberg in 1477, died at Regensburg in 1534. He is the author of the Annales Boiorum, for… -
Averescu, Alessandro
AVERESCU, ALESSANDRO. - Romanian marshal and statesman, b. at Ismail on the Danube on 22 Apr. 1859, d. at Bucharest on 3 Oct. 1939. He… -
Aviat, François de Sales
AVIAT, FRANÇOIS DE SALES. - Born at Sézanne on 16 Sept. 1844, died at Perugia on 10 Jan. 1914. Educated by the Sisters of the Visitation of… -
Avignon Exile (ESILIO D'AVIGNONE)
AVIGNON EXILE. - It is customary to unjustly compare to the exile of the Hebrews in Babylon the sojourn in Avignon (1305-76) of the popes… -
Avvakum, Petrovich (AVVAKUM, PETROVIC)
AVVAKUM, PETROVICH. - Russian protopope; one of the first and most important leaders of the internal schism of the Russian Church (raskol);… -
Aymer de La Chevalerie, Henriette
AYMER DE LA CHEVALERIE, HENRIETTE. - Born on 11 April 1767 at St-Georges-de-Noisné (Poitou), died in Paris on 23 November 1834. She… -
Ayroles, Jean-Baptiste
AYROLES, JEAN-BAPTISTE. - French Jesuit, b. at Py (Pyrénées-Orientales) in 1828, d. at Bordeaux in 1921. Having entered the novitiate of… -
Azara, José Nicolás de, Marchese di Nibbiano (AZARA, JOSÉ NICOLAS DE, MARCHESE DI NIBIANO)
AZARA, José Nicolás de, Marchese di Nibbiano. - Aragonese politician and diplomat, b. in 1730, d. in 1804. He was a follower of the… -
Azeglio, Cesare Taparelli, Marquis d' (AZEGLIO, CESARE TAPARELLI, MARCHESE D')
AZEGLIO, Cesare Taparelli, Marquis d'. - Zealous apostle of the good press, father of the well-known writers Luigi (v. TAPARELLI) and… -
Azeglio, Massimo Taparelli d'
AZEGLIO, MASSIMO TAPARELLI d'. - Politician and man of letters, b. in Turin on 24 Oct. 1798, fourth-born son of Cesare and of Cristina… -
Azevedo, Luiz Gonzaga de (AZEVÊDO, LUIZ GONZAGA DE)
AZEVEDO, LUIZ GONZAGA DE. - Portuguese Jesuit, b. at Arcos de Val de Vez (Minho) in 1867, d. at La Guardia on 9 March 1930. Having entered… -
Azevedo, Manuel de (AZEVÊDO, MANUEL DE)
AZEVEDO, Manuel de. - Portuguese Jesuit, b. in Coimbra on 25 Dec. 1713, d. in Piacenza on 2 Apr. 1796. He lived for many years in Rome and… -
Azpuru y Ximenes, Thomas
AZPURU Y XIMENES, THOMAS. - Spanish prelate, b. in Saragossa in 1713, d. in Rome in 1772. He was a canon of Murcia, auditor of the Rota for… -
Azzanesi, Achille
AZZANESI, ACHILLE. - Pontifical colonel, b. in Rome on 10 Aug. 1823, d. there in 1888. Having entered service on 10 Aug. 1839, he fought… -
Azzolini, Decio
AZZOLINI, DECIO. - Cardinal, b. at Fermo on 11 April 1623, d. at Rome on 8 June 1689. Having earned his degree in philosophy at a very… -
Azzolino (Ascelinus, Aicelinus, Azelinus, Ezelinus)
AZZOLINO (Ascelinus, Aicelinus, Azelinus, Ezelinus). - A Lombard (from Cremona?), a Dominican, sent by Innocent IV to the "king of the… -
Azzone de Ramenchis
AZZONE de RAMENCHIS. - Italian canonist of the 14th century, son-in-law of Giovanni d'Andrea (v.); he was certainly a professor at Bologna… -
Baader, Franz Xaver Benedict von
BAADER, Franz Xaver Benedict von. - Philosopher and theosophist b. in Munich on 27 March 1765, d. there on 23 May 1841. He studied medicine… -
Babin, François
BABIN, FRANÇOIS. - Priest and distinguished moralist, b. at Angers on 6 Dec. 1651, d. there on 25 Jan. 1734. At the university he was… -
Babington, Anthony
BABINGTON, ANTHONY. - Englishman, of a noble and wealthy family, b. at Detwick (Derbyshire) in Oct. 1561, d. in London on 20 Sept. 1586. A… -
Babut, Étienne-Charles (BABUT, ETIENNE-CHARLES)
BABUT, ÉTIENNE-CHARLES. - French historian of Protestant origin, professor of the history of Christianity at the University of Montpellier,… -
Bacchini, Benedetto
BACCHINI, BENEDETTO. - Benedictine and distinguished historian, b. at Borgo S. Donnino on 31 Aug. 1631, d. at Bologna on 1 Sept. 1721. His… -
Bachenstein, Johann von
BACHENSTEIN, JOHANN von. - Archdeacon of Zagreb, who lived in the 15th century. He took an important part in the Council of Basel, where he… -
Badia, Tommaso
BADIA, TOMMASO. - Dominican, cardinal, b. at Modena in 1483, d. in 1547. Professor of theology at Ferrara, Venice and Bologna, he was… -
Baglioni
BAGLIONI. - A Perugian family that rose to power toward the end of the 14th century, particularly after Malatesta, upon the death of… -
Bagno, Giovanni Francesco Guidi di
BAGNO, GIOVANNI FRANCESCO GUIDI di. - Cardinal, humanist and diplomat, b. in Florence on 4 Oct. 1578, of Romagna descent. He studied in… -
Bagratids (BAGRATIDI)
BAGRATIDS. - A powerful dynasty of Armenian princes, knights of the Armenian crown, having the prerogative of crowning the king. In the… -
Bahram V of Persia (BAHRAM V DI PERSIA)
BAHRAM V OF PERSIA. - Persecutor, son of Yazdegerd, whom he succeeded as emperor of Persia from the year 420 to 438. He continued with ever… -
Bailly De Surcy, Emmanuel-Joseph
BAILLY DE SURCY, EMMANUEL-JOSEPH. - French publicist and Catholic organizer, father of the two Assumptionists Emmanuel and Vincent de Paul… -
Bailly, Vincent De Paul
BAILLY, VINCENT DE PAUL. - Augustinian of the Assumption, b. on 2 Dec. 1832 at Berteaucourt, d. in Paris on 2 Dec. 1912, founder of the… -
Bainbridge, Christopher
BAINBRIDGE, CHRISTOPHER. - Cardinal Archbishop of York, b. at Hilton around 1464, d. at Rome on 14 July 1514. Ambassador of Henry VIII to… -
Baines, Peter Augustine
BAINES, PETER AUGUSTINE. - Vicar Apostolic of the Western District of England, b. at Kirkby (Liverpool) on 25 June 1786, d. at Prior Park… -
Baius (De Bay, Baio), Michel
BAIUS (DE BAY, BAIO), MICHEL. - Belgian theologian, b. at Mélin in Hainaut (Belgium) in 1513, d. September 1, 1589. I. LIFE. - B. began his… -
Bakócz, Tamás
BAKÓCZ, TAMÁS. - Cardinal, primate of Hungary, archbishop of Esztergom, b. in 1442 at Erdőd to a serf, d. at Esztergom in 1521. A brother… -
Balan, Pietro
BALAN, PIETRO. - Priest, controversialist and historian, b. at Este on 3 Sept. 1840, d. at Pragatto (Bologna), on 17 Feb. 1893. Of… -
Balbi (Balbus), Girolamo
BALBI (Balbus), Girolamo. - Humanist, bishop of Gurk, b. in Venice ca. 1460, d. in 1535. A disciple in Rome of Pomponio Leto, he was later… -
Balbín (Balbinus), Bohuslav
BALBÍN (Balbinus), Bohuslav. - Bohemian Jesuit scholar, b. of a noble family at Hradec Králové on 3 Nov. 1621, entered the Society in 1636,… -
Balbo, Cesare
BALBO, CESARE. - Italian historian and politician, b. in Turin on 21 Nov. 1789, d. there on 3 June 1853. Born of a noble family, he was… -
Baldassari, Pietro
BALDASSARI, PIETRO. - From 1794 he was secretary to Msgr. Diego Innico Caracciolo, governor of Fermo, then master of the chamber to Pius… -
Baldi, Bernardino
BALDI, BERNARDINO. - First abbot of Guastalla, poet, scientist, historian and philologist, b. in Urbino on 5 June 1553, d. there on 10 Oct.… -
Baldovino, Baldovino (BALDUINO, BALDUINO)
BALDOVINO, BALDOVINO. - Professor of medicine at the University of Bologna, b. around 1500 at Barga (Garfagnana), d. in 1582 at Aversa. He… -
Baldric (Baudri) of Bourgueil (BALDRICO (BAUDRI) DI BOURGUEIL)
BALDRIC (BAUDRI) OF BOURGUEIL. - Monk, b. in 1046, d. in 1130. Abbot of the monastery of St. Peter of Bourgueil from 1089, archbishop of… -
Baldwin I, Emperor of Constantinople (BALDOVINO I, IMPERATORE DI COSTANTINOPOLI)
BALDWIN I, emperor of CONSTANTINOPLE. - Sixth count of Hainaut and ninth count of Flanders, b. at Valenciennes in 1171, d., perhaps at… -
Baldwin III, King of Jerusalem (BALDOVINO III, RE DI GERUSALEMME)
BALDWIN III, King of Jerusalem. - Son of Fulk of Anjou, b. ca. 1130, d. 10 February 1162. He was under the guardianship of the queen mother… -
Baldwin II, King of Jerusalem (BALDOVINO II, RE DI GERUSALEMME)
BALDWIN II, King of Jerusalem. - Son of Hugh, count of Rethel, he took the cross and set out in the army of Godfrey of Bouillon in 1096. By… -
Baldwin I, King of Jerusalem (BALDOVINO I, RE DI GERUSALEMME)
BALDWIN I, King of Jerusalem. - Brother of Godfrey of Bouillon. Destined for the ecclesiastical state, he was, in his youth, suitably… -
Baldwin IV, King of Jerusalem (BALDOVINO IV, RE DI GERUSALEMME)
BALDWIN IV, King of Jerusalem. - Son of Amalric, king of Jerusalem (1162-73), nephew of Baldwin III, born in 1160. At the death of his… -
Baldwin V, King of Jerusalem (BALDOVINO V, RE DI GERUSALEMME)
BALDWIN V, King of Jerusalem. - Son of the sister of Baldwin IV, Sibylla, and of William of Montferrat, b. in 1177, d. in 1186. His uncle,… -
Balfour, Arthur James
BALFOUR, ARTHUR JAMES. - Celebrated English statesman of the Conservative party, b. at Wittingham (Scotland) on 25 July 1848, d. at Woking… -
Ballerini, Paolo
BALLERINI, PAOLO. - Archbishop of Milan, b. in Milan on 13 Jan. 1814, d. at Seregno in 1897. He studied in Vienna, where he took his… -
Ballerini, Raffaele (BALLERINI, RAPFAELE)
BALLERINI, RAFFAELE. - Jesuit, writer, b. at Medicina (Bologna) on 17 May 1830, d. at Rome on 14 Jan. 1907. After completing his studies at… -
Balleydier, Alphonse
BALLEYDIER, ALPHONSE. - French historian, b. in Lyon in 1820, d. in 1859. A conservative at heart, but desirous of reforms, he joyfully… -
Bally (Bailly), Philibert-Albert
BALLY (Bailly), Philibert-Albert. - Theologian, b. at Grésy-sur-Aire (Savoy) in 1605, d. at Aosta in 1691, secretary to the Duke of Savoy… -
Balsamo, Ferdinando
BALSAMO, FERDINANDO. - Priest, b. at Roziano Gravina on 7 Sept. 1826, d. at Cosenza on 7 Nov. 1869. Under Bourbon rule, he combined… -
Balsamon, Teodoro
BALSAMON, TEODORO. - One of the best-known canonists of the dissident Greek Church, b. around the middle of the 12th century at… -
Balsamo, Paolo
BALSAMO, PAOLO. - Priest and economist, b. at Termini Imerese on 4 March 1764, d. on 4 Sept. 1816. Having entered the archiepiscopal… -
Baltimore, George Calvert
BALTIMORE, GEORGE CALVERT. - English politician and first lord of his title, b. at Kipling in Yorkshire around 1580, d. 15 April 1632 in… -
Baltzer, Johann Baptist
BALTZER, JOHANN BAPTIST. - Theologian, b. at Andernach on the Rhine on 16 July 1803 and d. at Bonn on 1 Oct. 1871. A disciple of Hermes, he… -
Balue, Giovanni
BALUE, GIOVANNI. - Cardinal of Anjou. Born at Angle-Luçon in Bithon in 1421, died at Ripatransone in the Marches on 5 December 1491. Of… -
Bancalari, Michele Alberto
BANCALARI, MICHELE ALBERTO. - Piarist physicist, b. at Chiavari on 20 Feb. 1805, d. at Genoa on 10 Aug. 1864. He taught physics and… -
Bandini (Bandulovich), Marco
BANDINI (BANDULOVICH), MARCO. - Franciscan archbishop, of perhaps Italian origin, b. at Skopje, in Serbia, in an unknown year and d. at… -
Banduri, Anselmo
BANDURI, ANSELMO. - Benedictine and learned Byzantinist, b. at Ragusa in Dalmatia in 1671, d. at Paris in 1743. He did his studies in… -
Bañez, Domingo
BAÑEZ, DOMINGO. - Dominican theologian, a celebrated student and interpreter of St. Thomas, b. 29 Feb. 1528 at Valladolid and d. 21 Oct.… -
Bangha, Adalberto (Béla)
BANGHA, ADALBERTO (BÉLA). - Hungarian Jesuit, b. at Nyitra in 1880, entered the Society in 1895, d. at Budapest on 28 April 1940. He… -
Baranović, Lazzaro
BARANOVIĆ, LAZZARO. - Russian preacher of the 17th century, archbishop of Chernigov from 1657, d. 1693. The date of his birth is unknown. A… -
Baranzano, Redento Giovanni Antonio
BARANZANO, REDENTO GIOVANNI ANTONIO. - Barnabite philosopher and scientist, b. at Serravalle Sesia (Biella) in 1590, and d. at Montargis… -
Barbarians (BARBARI)
BARBARIANS. - The word, Greek in origin, at first meant the stammerers, that is, those who spoke a language different from Greek, and was… -
Barbaro, Ermolao (Senior) (BARBARO, ERMOLAO (SENIORE))
BARBARO, ERMOLAO (SENIOR). - Son of Zaccaria, brother of Francesco, the celebrated humanist and statesman, born in Venice around 1410, died… -
Barbaro, Ermolao (the Younger) (BARBARO, ERMOLAO (IUNIORE))
BARBARO, ERMOLAO (THE YOUNGER). - Nephew of the namesake bishop of Verona, born in Venice to Zaccaria in 1453, died in Rome on 21 May 1493.… -
Barbaro, Francesco
BARBARO, FRANCESCO. - A most splendid figure of a humanist and statesman, born in Venice around 1398 to the senator Candiano, died there in… -
Barbaziano
BARBAZIANO. - A Milanese monk from the time of St. Ambrose. He left the monastery founded by the Saint in Milan to take refuge in Vercelli,… -
Barberini, Family (BARBERINI, FAMIGLIA)
BARBERINI, FAMILY. - A famous house of Tuscan origin. Having enriched itself through commerce, it changed its original name of Tafani to… -
Barbieri, Clelia
BARBIERI, CLELIA. - Foundress, together with Clara Donati, of the Minims of Our Lady of Sorrows (v.), born in Bologna on 13 February 1847,… -
Barbieri (de Barberis), Filippo
BARBIERI (DE BARBERIS), FILIPPO. - Dominican theologian, b. at Syracuse ca. 1426, d. at Palermo in 1487. He taught theology at Catania.… -
Barbo, Marco
BARBO, MARCO. - Cardinal, b. in Venice around 1420, d. in Rome on 2 March 1491. Related by kinship to Paul II, whose surname he bore, he… -
Barbosa Machado, Diego
BARBOSA MACHADO, DIEGO. - Writer and bibliographer of Portugal, b. in Lisbon in 1682, d. in the abbey of St. Adrian of Sever in 1772. With… -
Bardel, Claude
BARDEL, CLAUDE. - Bishop, b. at Thiers on 23 Feb. 1851, d. at Séez on 16 Feb. 1926. A priest in 1874, vicar general of the dioceses of… -
Bar Ebreo, Gregorio
BAR EBREO, GREGORIO. - Syriac Jacobite writer, b. at Melitene in 1226, d. at Marāghah in 1286. His baptismal name was John, later changed… -
Barolo, Giulia Viturnia Francesca, Marchesa di
BAROLO, GIULIA VITURNIA FRANCESCA, marchesa di. - Born in the Vendée to the family of the minister Colbert, on her estate of Maulevrier, on… -
Barozzi, Pietro
BAROZZI, PIETRO. - Humanist bishop, b. in Venice in 1441, d. in Padua on 10 January 1507. Barely thirty years old, he was appointed bishop… -
Barral, Louis-Mathias de
BARRAL, LOUIS-MATHIAS DE. - French prelate, b. at Grenoble on 20 Apr. 1746, d. on 6 June 1816. Having become bishop of Troyes in 1790, he… -
Barrett, Jean Arnold
BARRETT, JEAN ARNOLD. - Bishop, b. at Looz on 22 February 1770, d. at Namur in 1835. Having completed his studies in Rome and been ordained… -
Barrio y Fernández, Mariano
BARRIO Y FERNÁNDEZ, MARIANO. - Cardinal, b. at Jaca on 21 Nov. 1805, d. at Valencia on 26 Nov. 1876. Professor of canon law at the… -
Barruel, Augustin de
BARRUEL, AUGUSTIN de. - Jesuit publicist, b. at Villeneuve-de-Berg (Ardèche) on 2 Oct. 1741, d. at Paris on 5 Oct. 1820. Received into the… -
Barsech, Basilio
BARSECH, BASILIO. - An Armenian priest of Constantinople, he died in Rome in 1693 and was buried in S. Maria Egiziaca, then the hospice of… -
Barsov, Nicola; Ivanović
BARSOV, NICOLA; IVANOVIĆ. - Famous Russian dissident theologian, b. in 1838, d. in 1903. He was a master in theology and for 25 years a… -
Bartolocchi, Giulio
BARTOLOCCHI, GIULIO. - Distinguished Orientalist, b. at Celleno, diocese of Montefiascone (Viterbo), in 1613, d. at Rome on 20 Oct. 1687.… -
Bartolomeo da Capua
BARTOLOMEO da CAPUA. - Neapolitan jurist (1248-1328). Professor of law in Naples. Logothete and protonotary at the court of that same city.… -
Bartolomeo da Lucca
BARTOLOMEO DA LUCCA. - In the world Tolomeo Fiadoni, Dominican historian and theologian, b. at Lucca ca. 1236 into a family of merchants… -
Bartolomeo da Roma
BARTOLOMEO da ROMA. - Regular canon, famous preacher, b. in the second half of the 14th century in Rome, in the district of Campo de'… -
Bartolomeo di Bruges
BARTOLOMEO di BRUGES. - Philosopher and physician, b. at Bruges ca. 1285, d. probably in 1356. From 1307 to 1309 magister artium at Paris,… -
Bartolomeo di Saliceto
BARTOLOMEO di SALICETO. - Famous jurist, b. in Bologna around 1330, he first taught in his native city, then at the Universities of Padua… -
Bartolomeo, Night of Saint (BARTOLOMEO, NOTTE DI SAN)
BARTOLOMEO, NIGHT OF SAINT. - It is one of the episodes, perhaps the cruelest, that bloodied France during the wars of religion. Besides… -
Bartolucci, Vincenzo
BARTOLUCCI, VINCENZO. - Papal magistrate, b. in Rome in 1753, d. in 1823. In 1808 he was fiscal advocate of the Apostolic Chamber and dean… -
Basil I, Emperor of Constantinople, Called the Macedonian (BASILIO I, IMPERATORE DI COSTANTINOPOLI, DETTO IL MACEDONE)
BASIL I, Emperor of Constantinople, Called the Macedonian. - Born at Adrianople around 827 to a modest family, he seized power through a… -
Basiliscus, Usurper (BASILISCO, USURPATORE)
BASILISCUS, Usurper. - Brother-in-law of the Eastern emperor Leo I, consul in 465, he was in command of several military expeditions, among… -
Basin, Thomas
BASIN, THOMAS. - French chronicler, bishop of Lisieux, b. at Caudebec (Seine-Inférieure) apparently in 1412, d. at Utrecht in 1490 or 1491.… -
Basset, René
BASSET, RENÉ. - French Orientalist, b. at Lunéville on 24 July 1855, d. at Algiers on 14 Jan. 1924. His fame as a scholar is linked to his… -
Bassi, Ugo
BASSI, UGO. - Barnabite, b. at Cento on 12 Aug. 1801, d. at Bologna on 8 Aug. 1849. After completing his early studies at Bologna, he… -
Bassville (Basseville), Nicolas-Jean-Hugon de
BASSVILLE (BASSEVILLE), NICOLAS-JEAN-HUGON de. - French diplomat and publicist, b. at Abbeville in Picardy on 7 Feb. 1753, d. at Rome on 13… -
Bastian, Adolf
BASTIAN, ADOLF. - Ethnologist, b. in Bremen on 26 June 1826, d. in Trinidad on 2 Feb. 1905. He founded with Virchow the Berliner… -
Bastiat, Claude-Frédéric
BASTIAT, CLAUDE-FRÉDÉRIC. - French economist and politician, b. at Mugron on 19 June 1801, d. at Rome on 24 Dec. 1850. A member of the… -
Báthory, Sigismondo, Prince of Transylvania (BÁTHORY, SIGISMONDO, PRINCIPE DI TRANSILVANIA)
BÁTHORY, Sigismondo, Prince of Transylvania. - B. in Prague in 1572, d. there in 1613. Raised to the principality at a very young age… -
Báthory, Stefano, King of Poland (BÁTHORY, STEFANO, RE DI POLONIA)
BÁTHORY, Stefano, King of Poland. - B. in 1533, d. at Grodno on 12 Dec. 1586. Elected in 1575 by the petty Polish nobility (Schlachta),… -
Batiffol, Pierre
BATIFFOL, PIERRE. - French prelate, b. at Toulouse on 27 Jan. 1861, d. at Paris on 13 Jan. 1929; a pupil of St. Sulpice, priest in 1884. He… -
Battandier, Albert
BATTANDIER, ALBERT. - Priest, b. 11 April 1850, at St-Félicien (Ardèche), d. there on 23 May 1921. Having entered the major seminary of… -
Batthyány, József
BATTHYÁNY, JÓZSEF. - Hungarian cardinal, b. in Vienna in 1727, d. at Pressburg in 1799. Appointed bishop of Transylvania in 1759; in 1776… -
Battle of Castelfidardo (CASTELFIDARDO, BATTAGLIA DI)
BATTLE OF CASTELFIDARDO. - The medieval village near Ancona gave its name to the engagement fought at the locality of Crocette, between… -
Battle of Mentana (MENTANA, BATTAGLIA DI)
BATTLE OF MENTANA. - This locality gave its name to the engagement with which, on Nov. 3, 1867, at the twilight of the Papal State, there… -
Baudrillart, Henri-Marie-Alfred
BAUDRILLART, HENRI-MARIE-ALFRED. - Cardinal, b. in Paris on 6 Jan. 1859, d. there on 19 May 1942. Having earned degrees in history and law,… -
Baumgartner, Gallus Jakob
BAUMGARTNER, GALLUS JAKOB. - Swiss politician, b. at Altstätten on 15 Oct. 1797, d. at St. Gallen on 12 July 1869. After the July… -
Bautain, Louis-Eugène-Marie
BAUTAIN, LOUIS-EUGÈNE-MARIE. - Philosopher and theologian, b. in Paris on 17 Nov. 1796, d. there on 15 Oct. 1867. He studied from 1813 at… -
Bavari
BAVARIANS. - Of Marcomannic stock (v. MARCOMANNI) from the great Germanic stem and coming from the territory of present-day Bohemia, the… -
Bayley, James Roosevelt
BAYLEY, JAMES ROOSEVELT. - North American prelate, b. 23 Aug. 1814 at Rye (New York), d. 3 Oct. 1877 at Newark. Raised a Protestant, he… -
Beani, Gaetano
BEANI, GAETANO. - Priest and historian, b. 23 July 1836 in Pisa, d. 13 Feb. 1912 in Pistoia. He studied in Florence, Livorno and Pistoia.… -
Beaton
BEATON. - There are three principal Scottish figures of this name: 1) James, archbishop of Glasgow, uncle of 2) David, cardinal and… -
Beatrice of Tuscany (BEATRICE DI TOSCANA)
BEATRICE OF TUSCANY. - Marchioness, b. in Lorraine around 1015, d. at Pisa on 28 April 1076. Daughter of Frederick, Duke of Upper Lorraine,… -
Beaufort, Henry
BEAUFORT, HENRY. - Cardinal, brother of Henry IV of England, b. 1377, d. 1447. He played a very important part in English political life.… -
Beccadelli, Ludovico (BECCADELLI, LODOVICO)
BECCADELLI, LUDOVICO. - Apostolic nuncio; b. in Bologna on 29 January 1501, d. in Prato on 17 October 1572. He completed his literary… -
Beccaria, Cesare
BECCARIA, CESARE. - Man of letters, economist, jurist. Born in Milan on 15 March 1738, died there on 28 Nov. 1794. He was educated for… -
Beccari, Odoardo
BECCARI, ODOARDO. - Italian naturalist, explorer, and botanist, b. in Florence on 16 Nov. 1843, d. there on 25 Oct. 1920. An evolutionist,… -
Beckwith, John Charles
BECKWITH, JOHN CHARLES. - Famous propagator of Waldensianism in Italy, b. in 1782, of an English family, at Halifax, in Nova Scotia… -
Beda of Saint Simon Stock (BEDA DI SAN SIMONE STOCK)
BEDA OF SAINT SIMON STOCK. - In the world Walter Travers; Discalced Carmelite, b. in 1619 to Protestant parents in Devonshire (England).… -
Bedini, Gaetano
BEDINI, GAETANO. - Cardinal, born at Senigallia on 15 May 1806, died at Viterbo on 6 Sept. 1864. After completing his studies in the local… -
Bela I (Albert, Adalbert), King of Hungary (BĒLA I (ALBERTO, ADALBERTO), RE D'UNGHERIA)
BELA I (Albert, Adalbert), King of Hungary. - He reigned from 1060 to 1063. He succeeded his brother Andrew I, against whom he had rebelled… -
Bela III, King of Hungary (BĒLA III, RE D'UNGHERIA)
BELA III, KING OF HUNGARY. - He reigned from 1172 to 1196. Son of Géza II, he spent his youth at the court of the Byzantine emperor Manuel… -
Bela II the Blind, King of Hungary (BĒLA II IL CIECO, RE D'UNGHERIA)
BÉLA II the Blind, king of HUNGARY. - He reigned from 1131 to 1141. Son of Prince Álmos, while still a child he was blinded by King Kálmán… -
Bela IV, King of Hungary (BĒLA IV, RE D'UNGHERIA)
BELA IV, KING OF HUNGARY. - He reigned from 1235 to 1270. Having ascended the throne, he had just finished re-establishing political and… -
Beleth, Giovanni
BELETH, GIOVANNI. - Theologian, professor and rector of the University of Paris, perhaps of English origin, d. 1182. Trithemius (c. 415)… -
Belisarius (BELISARIO)
BELISARIUS. - Famous Byzantine general. Born around 500, died in 565. Having received the assignment of driving the Ostrogoths out of… -
Beljaev, Nicola Jakovlevič (BELJAJEV, NICOLA JAKOVLEVIĆ)
BELJAEV, NICOLA JAKOVLEVIČ. - Russian theologian and polemicist of the 19th century, d. 1894. He was a professor at the Ecclesiastical… -
Bellasis, Edward
BELLASIS, EDWARD. - English jurist, b. 14 Oct. 1800 at Basilden, d. 24 Jan. 1873 at Hyères (France). He became a jurist of Parliament, a… -
Bellay, Jean du
BELLAY, Jean du. - Cardinal, younger brother of Guillaume, b. in 1492, d. in Rome in 1560. He began his ecclesiastical career at a very… -
Bell, Charles
BELL, CHARLES. - Born in Edinburgh in 1774, died at Hallow Park on 28 April 1842. He was a great scholar of nervous physiology. Contrary to… -
Belleméra (Aegidius de Bellamera, or de Belleméra), Egidio de (BELLEMERA (AEGIDIUS DE BELLAMERA, O DE BELLEMERA), EGIDIO DE)
BELLEMÉRA (Aegidius de Bellamera, or de Belleméra), Egidio de. - Italian decretalist, d. around 1392. In the great Western Schism he… -
Bellesheim, Alfons
BELLESHEIM, ALFONS. - Born at Monschau on 16 December 1839, died at Aachen on 5 January 1912, ordained priest (1862), canon of Cologne… -
Bellings, Richard
BELLINGS, RICHARD. - Irish statesman and historian, b. in Dublin in an unknown year, d. in 1677. A member of the Irish Parliament through… -
Bellisomi, Carlo
BELLISOMI, CARLO. - Cardinal, b. 30 Sept. 1739 in Pavia, d. 9 Aug. 1808 in Cesena. Of a patrician family, he was educated in Rome at the… -
Belluga y Moncada, Luis Antonio
BELLUGA Y MONCADA, LUIS ANTONIO. - Spanish cardinal and theologian, b. at Motril in 1662, d. at Rome in 1743. He established the… -
Benedetti (in Arabic Mubarak, altered by Westerners into Ambarak), Pietro (BENEDETTI (IN ARABO MUBARAK, ALTERATO DAGLI OCCIDENTALI IN AMBARAK), PIETRO)
BENEDETTI (in Arabic Mubarak, altered by Westerners into Ambarak), Pietro. - Maronite Orientalist, b. in 1663 at Baḥā (Lebanon), not at… -
Benedetto di Sant'Andrea (BENEDETTO DI S. ANDREA)
BENEDETTO DI SANT'ANDREA. - Monk and chronicler in the monastery of St. Andrew in flumine in the region of Monte Soratte, he flourished in… -
Benedict the Canon (BENEDETTO CANONICO)
BENEDICTINE CANON. - He was a canon of St. Peter's in Rome. We know very little about him. With the title of canon and with that of Romanae… -
Bengy, Anatole de
BENGY, ANATOLE de. - Jesuit, b. 19 Sept. 1824 at Bourges, d. 26 May 1871 at Paris. Having entered the Society of Jesus in 1843, he took… -
Benigni, Umberto
BENIGNI, UMBERTO. - Priest, b. 30 March 1862 in Perugia, d. 1934 in Rome. A scholar of historical and social studies of some renown, he… -
Benivieni, Domenico
BENIVIENI, DOMENICO. - Philosopher and theologian, b. in Florence in 1460, d. there on 3 December 1507. Because of his philosophical bent… -
Bennone
BENNONE. - Having left the canonry of Strasbourg and given himself to the eremitical life near the tomb of St. Meinrad, in 927 he was… -
Beno (Bennone) (BENO (BENNO, BENNONE))
BENO (BENNONE). - Cardinal, d. around 1100. Created cardinal by Stephen IX in 1058, on 5 May 1081 he took part in the Roman synod against… -
Bentivenghi, Bentivenga
BENTIVENGHI, BENTIVENGA. - Franciscan, cardinal, born in Todi of a noble family, died on 25 March 1289. According to the writers of Todi he… -
Bentivoglio
BENTIVOGLIO. - A Bolognese family recorded from the beginning of the 13th century; already toward the end of that century and at the… -
Benvenuti, Giovanni Antonio
BENVENUTI, GIOVANNI ANTONIO. - Cardinal, b. at Belvedere, in the diocese of Senigaglia, on 17 March 1766, d. at Osimo on 14 Nov. 1838.… -
Benzone, Bishop of Alba (BENZONE, VESCOVO DI ALBA)
BENZONE, Bishop of Alba. - Probably a native of southern Italy, born at the beginning of the 11th century, he was already a bishop in 1059,… -
Berardier, Denis
BERARDIER, DENIS. - Priest b. in 1729, d. in 1794. After completing his studies in theology at the Sorbonne, he was rector of the college… -
Berardi, Giovanni
BERARDI, GIOVANNI. - Cardinal, born at Corcannello (Aquila) into the noble family of the counts of the Marsi of Tagliacozzo, died at Rome… -
Bérault-Bercastel, Antoine
BÉRAULT-BERCASTEL, ANTOINE. - Church historian, one of the most widely read of his time. Born at Briey in 1720, according to some in 1722,… -
Berdyaev, Nikolaj Aliksandrovič (BERDJAEV, NIKOLAJ ALIKSANDROVIĆ)
BERDYAEV, NIKOLAJ ALIKSANDROVIČ. - Contemporary Russian philosopher, b. in Kiev on 6 May 1874, d. in Paris on 23 March 1948. After… -
Berengar I, King of Italy (BERENGARIO I, RE D'ITALIA)
BERENGAR I, KING OF ITALY. - Upon the deposition of Charles the Fat, Berengar, marquis of Friuli, claimed rights to the succession, being… -
Berengarius, Pietro di Poitiers (Berengarius Pictaviensis) (BERENGARIO, PIETRO DI POITIERS (BERENGARIUS PICTAVIENSIS))
BERENGARIUS, Pietro di Poitiers (Berengarius Pictaviensis). - Disciple and admirer of Abelard (v.), known almost solely for the part he…