AN'SELIVI OF CANTERBURY, ST. (1033 1109) . A scholastic philosopher, horn at Aosta, in Piedmont. He led at first a dissipated life, and. like Ab6lard, wandered through France, after the fashion of the scholars of those days, disputing wherever he could find an adversary. Attracted by the reputation of Lanfrane, he went, in 1060, to study at the monastery of Bee, in Normandy. Three years later, he became prior, and in 1078, abbot of this monastery, which ender him became famous as a seat of learning. Lanfranc. who in the meantime had gone to Eng land, and become Archbishop of Canterbury, died in 1089; and the archdiocese remained four years without a successor, till, in 1093. Anselm was ap pointed. He was distinguished as both a church man and philosopher. His numerous embroil ments with William Rufus and Henry 1., and the unbending spirit which he displayed in these, even when subjected to banishment, indicate the vigor and resoluteness of his character, as much as his writings exhibit the depth and acuteness of his intellect. In 1720 Clement XI. expressly placed him in the list of Church authorities. Anselm was a second Augustine, superior to all his con temporaries in sagacity and dialectical skill, and equal to the most eminent in virtue and piety. Embracing without question the doctrines of the Church, Mostly as stated by Augustine, and holding that belief must precede knowledge, and must be implicit and undoubting, he yet felt the necessity of a religious philosophy, urged the duty of proceeding !min belief to knowledge, and sought to reduce the truths of religion into the form of a connected series of reasonings. It was
for this purpose he wrote his Monoloyium sere Exemplum. Meditandi do Rationc Pidei. In his Proslogium, otherwise entitled Fides ()wrens Intellectum (faith seeking intellect), he strove to demOnstrate the existence of God from the conception of a perfect being. This ontologieal proof. however, has never been held satisfactory. Ilis writings, Cur Dens Homo, and Dr Concordia Prmscientke ct Prwdestinationis, made an epoch in Christian philosophy. Anselm may justly be reckoned the earliest of the schoolmen, although Alexander of hales (q.v.) was the first who eompletely systematized in the scholastic the doctrines of the Catholic Church. He died in Canterbury, April 21. 1109. and was buried there. The day of his death is observed in the Roman Catholic Church. His works are in Migne. P. L.. 15S. 159. and a few pieces since dis covered in Mai, Soy, Bib?. 1. For his life and teachings, consult: F. H. Hasse (Leipzig, 1843 52) ; De Winusat (Paris, IS58) ; R. W. Church (London, 1870) ; M. Rule (London, 18S3) , who also edited two lives of Anselm by Eadmer for the Rolls Series (London. 18S4) ; J. M. Rigg (Lon don. 1896) ; A. C'. Welch (London, 1900). In English are his Book of Meditations and Prayers (London, 1S72) ; Cur Dcus Homo, with selections from his letters and life (London, 1S89).