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Medieval · Saint
St Anselm of Canterbury
Archbishop of Canterbury
Doctor of the ChurchReformerConfessor
1033 – 1109
c. 1066
Ordained
1093
Consecrated Bishop
Canterbury
Diocese
England
Country
The Life
Born in Aosta, Anselm became a monk and abbot at the Norman abbey of Bec, where he wrote his major theological works. In 1093 he was named Archbishop of Canterbury, a post that thrust him into bitter conflict with the English crown.
A foundational figure of scholasticism, he is remembered for 'faith seeking understanding' (fides quaerens intellectum) and for the ontological argument for God's existence. He was declared a Doctor of the Church by Clement XI in 1720.
Notable Actions
- Wrote the 'Monologion' and the 'Proslogion' (which contains the ontological argument)
- Authored 'Cur Deus Homo', a landmark treatise on the Atonement
- Fought the English investiture controversy against William II and Henry I, enduring two exiles
- Declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Clement XI in 1720
I do not seek to understand in order that I may believe, but I believe in order that I may understand.
Proslogion, ch. 1Portrait: Anselm_of_Canterbury,_seal.jpg: The original uploader was Srnec at English Wikipedia.
deri / Wikimedia Commons