Alexander of Hales

Albrecht Classen (University of Arizona)

Ed. by Hugh Magennis, Queen's University Belfast
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.02: English Writing and Culture: High and Late Medieval, 1066-1485.
Vol. editors: Kate Ash-Irisarri (University of Edinburgh), Rory Critten (Université de Lausanne), David Fuller (University of Durham), Natalie Hanna (University of Liverpool), Hugh Magennis (Queen's University Belfast), Jamie McKinstry (University of Durham), Sarah Peverley (University of Liverpool), Sebastian Sobecki (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen)

Dates

Born c. 1185
Died 1245
Activity 1205-1245

Places

Born in England
Active in England; France

Activities

Primary

Philosopher
Religious writer
Theologian

Resources

Alexander of Hales' Works

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Similar to John of Salisbury (ca. 1120-1180) [see entry], Alexander of Hales was one of the leading English scholars of his time, but he belonged to the next generation. Born at Hales Owen, Shropshire, into a wealthy family, he first attended his local monastic school, then went to Oxford, and continued with advanced studies in Paris where he earned the Master of Arts degree sometime before 1210. Subsequently he turned to theology and earned his doctorate sometime before 1220. From a comment by Roger Bacon (ca. 1210-1292) about Alexander, we know that he was

Magister regens

in the faculty of arts in 1210; ten years later he became Professor of Theology at the University of Paris—the first Franciscan to hold a university chair in Paris. For the rest of his life Alexander was to influence…

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1081 words

Citation: Classen, Albrecht. "Alexander of Hales". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 28 May 2004 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=70, accessed 21 November 2024.]

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