Erasmus

"Erasmus" by R. C. Jebb is a historical biography from the 1800s which recounts the life of Desiderius Erasmus, a key Renaissance thinker who played a pivotal role leading up to the Reformation. The book follows Erasmus from his beginnings in Rotterdam to his prominent place in European intellectual circles, showing his early education and growth into a renowned scholar and critic who greatly influenced both literature and religious thinking. It describes his battles against the strict life of monks, his progress studying ancient Greek, and his connections with important people like Thomas More and John Colet. A major focus is Erasmus's support for scholarly learning and reform within the church, as demonstrated in his famous works, which combined sharp criticism with wit. Jebb's narrative highlights how Erasmus's pursuit of knowledge and clear understanding of religious issues contributed to the major movements that would bring about big changes in Europe, especially the rise of the Protestant Reformation.