MIDDELBURG, PAUL OF (1445-1534). A Dutch mathematician, born at Middelburg, whence his name. lie studied at the Uni versity of Louvain• took orders, became canon of Saint Barthelemy at Jliddelburg, and also taught mathematics, medicine, philosophy, and theology there. For having expressed himself regarding the faults of his fellow-citizens. he was banished from the town. Ile went to Lou vain, where he lectured on matlyiniaties so suc cessfully that the Grand Connell of Venice of fered him the chair of mathematics at Padua. By 1184 lie was at the Court of Francesco Maria della Povere, Duke of Urbino, to whom he became physician and by whom he was appointed to the abbacy of Castel Durante. It was also at the instigation of the Duke that lie was elected Bishop of Fossombrone in 1191, In 1513 lie presided at the Fifth Lateran Council 11512-17). where he spike on the necessity of a revision of the existing calendar. later under
taken by Gregory N II I. Ile was esteemed the first mathematieian of his day. His publieations include: Prue/ icg do Parris Coast( I ionibIls ( Epistala poloact ica .11 a gist ri Pauli lb! 11 itr1d6urqo ( 1 487 ) in which he answers vari ous objections raised by mathematicians against a revision of the Julian calendar; and Paulin(' de Recta Fasciae (1513), in which lie demonstrates with much learning that owing to detective reckoning, the Easter festival was fre quently celebrated at a period a month earlier than that determined by the Council of Nice. Consult: Baldi, Croniea de' matemutici (Urbino, 1707) ; De Paquot. .11i'moircs pour semis u Phis toire litWraire de di.r-sept provinces des Pays Bus (Louvain. 1763-70).