PAULUS OF BURGOS, or De Burgos, also called De Sancta Maria, bishop of Carthagena, was born of Jewish parents 1351 or 1352, his Jewish name being (V111121 ilthV '11) Rabbi Solo mon Ha-Levi of .Burgos. His parents gave him the best Jewish education, and Solomon became remarkably proficient in his knowledge of Hebrew, the Bible, the Talmud, and the whole cycle of Rabbinical literature. His distinguished attain ments, as well as his great piety and scrupulous observance of the Jewish practices, raised him to the dignity of Rabbi. He was regarded as a pillar of Judaism, and some of the most distinguished Hebrew literati of the day were among his pupils and friends. His eminent position and qualities recommended him to Henry III., who appointed him Jewish almoner, which brought him in daily contact both at court and elsewhere with Chris tians, who got him to discuss the questions at issue between Judaism and Christianity. This led him to study the patristic literature, and, as he himself tells us, the reading of Thomas Aquinas' writings convinced hint of the truth of Christianity. He made a public profession of the Christian religion, and was baptized July 21, 139o, in his fortieth year, and in consequence was deserted by his wife and sons. His conversion created the greatest sen sation among the Jews, who were filled with fear lest the example of so learned and influential a rabbi might be followed by those who revered him. R. Solomon, the illustrious rabbi of the synagogue, having now assumed the name of Paul of Burgos, determined, like his namesake of Tarsus, to become teacher in the Church, and for this pur pose went to the University of Paris. His thorough knowledge of the Hebrew language and the Bible, his mastery of other departments of literature, his extraordinary zeal for the new faith, and his mar vellous eloquence, rapidly advanced him to positions of honour in the Church. Benedict XIII., who was
then (Sept. 28, 1394) anti-pope at Avignon, suc cessively made him archdeacon of Trevingo, canon of Seville, and bishop of Carthagena, whilst Don Henry III., King of Castile, made him chancellor of Castile and his privy councillor. He wrote (I) Additiones ad Postillam Nicolai de Lyra super Bib has, which he finished in 1429, and which were first published with De Lyra's Commentary, Nitrenburg 1493, and frequently since. (2) Quart/ones XII. de nomine a'ivino Tetrasrammato, published with notes by Drusius, who also added to it his own work on the Tetragrammaton, Amsterdam 1634. (3) A defence of the Messiakship of Christ, in Hebrew, being a reply to his friend Josua Allorqui, printed in the Hebrew Annual, entitled Ozor Nechmad, vol. ii., Vienna 1857, p. 5, ff. ; and (4) Scrutiniunz S. ScriAtzirarum sive Dialogus Saudi et Pauli, in two books, which he finished in 1434, in his eighty second year. It was first published Rome 1470, then Mantua 1475, then Paris 152o, and frequently since. Paulus died Aug. 29, 1435, in his eighty third year. Though more thoroughly conversant with Hebrew literature than Nicolas de Lyra, Paulus de Burgos had not his impartiality of judg ment, and his bitterness against Judaism prevented him from making that use of the Jewish gramma rians and expositors which might have been expected from so great a scholar. Comp. Graetz, Geschichte der vol. viii., Leipzig 1864, p. C. D. G.