ABELARD, (or ABAILARD) PETER, celebrated for his learning and misfortunes, flourished in the twelfth cchturv, under the reigns of Louis le Gros, and Louis le Jenne. He was born in the village of Palais, in Brit tany. He gave early indications of an acute and lively genius, which his father, a man of rank and opulence, resolved to cultivate by the most liberal education. Young Abelard amply repaid his father's care, by his rapid progress in science, and the ardour with which he prosecuted his studies. Li the height of literary enthusiasm, he renounced the rights of primogeniture in favour of his brothers, that, relieved from all lower concerns, :le might give his undivided attention to phi losophy.
It is to be regretted, that the science of that barbar ous age presented no objects inure worthy of such ge nius and application. Logic became his favourite study ; and so fond was lie of 'a ielding the weapons of argu mentation, that lie travelled into different province s in quest of disputes, like a knight-errant in search of ad ventures. This romantic e:,pedition terminated at Paris, where he met with William de Champeaux, a celebrated professor of philosophy, and soon became his favourite disciple. Their friendship, how ever, was of short continuance. The penetrating Abelard detected the fallacies of the professor's reasoning ; and Champeaux, perplexed and [Oiled by the questions and arguments of his pre tiniptuous scholar, conceived against him the most rancorous hatred. The senior students, envious of Abelard's growing reputation, took part in their master's resentment. But this opposition served only to increase the young logician's presump tion. Thinking himself qualified, by his attainments, to impart instruction instead of receiving it, he resolved to establish a school of his own. Alelun, where the French court then resided, was the theatre which he chose for the display of his talents. Champeaux made every exertion to prevent the erection of this rival school ; but through the influence of some powerful courtiers, who were the professor's enemies, Abelard prevailed. He soon eclipsed his antagonist's reputa tion, and, elated by his success, removed his school to Corbeil, that he might engage him in closer and more frequent encounters. Here his excessive application threw him into a dangerous illness ; and his physicians, whom he afterwards suspected of being in league with his adversary, advised him to retire to Brittany for the benefit of his native air.
On returning to Paris about two years after, he found that Champeaux had resigned his chair, and entered into a convent of canons regular. In this new situa
tion, however, he continued his lectures. He had broached an opinion somewhat similar to the doctrine of universals, afterwards adopted by Spinoza. Abelard again entered the lists with him, and pressed him so vigorously, that he was forced to renounce his favourite tenets. The monk incurred general contempt; his an tagonist was hailed with universal applause ; and, to complete his triumph, the professor in whose favour Champeaux had resigned, inlisted under the banners of Abelard, and became his disciple. Such success naturally inflamed the animosity of his opponents, and stimulated their activity. Through Champeaux's in fluence, the converted professor was discarded ; and Abelard himself was assailed by such a furious storm of persecution, that he was forced to quit Paris, and take refuge in Melun.
Hearing, soon after, that Champeaux, with his whole train of monks, had retired to a country village, he went and posted himself on mount St Genevieve, and thence, as from a battery, levelled his logical artillery against the professor, who had been appointed at Paris after the dismissal of his own convert. Champeaux hastened with the host of his convent to the relief of his besieged friend. But his assistance was unavailing; the philo sopher was deserted by his pupils, and retired to a mo nastery to conceal the shame of his defeat. Abelard and Champeaux still continued the contest, in which the former was uniformly victorious. Meanwhile he was called from the conflict to visit his parents, who had resolved to spend the remainder ()I' life in a con vent. During- his absence, his rival was made bishop of Chalons. Abelard, on his return, finding that he might quit his school, without the suspicion of being forced from the field, resolved henceforth to devote himsell to the study of divinity. With this view he re moved to Laon, where Anselm then lectured with great reputation. Abelard, however, was so little satisfied with his abilities, that he soon forsook his lectures, and gave his days and nights to the study of the Scriptures, and the ancient fathers. In a short time he found him self qualified for lecturing on theology, and commenced an exposition of Ezekiel, in a manner so plain and en gaging, as to attract an incredible number of admirers. The jealousy of Anselm was roused, and Abelard was again compelled to return to Paris. Here he continued his lectures on Ezekiel ; and his reputation as a divine was no less flattering than that which he had formerly enjoyed as a philosopher.