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Alan of Lille

Type Figure Region France Time 1128–1202 Also known as Universal Doctor

Alan of Lille (c. 1128–1202) was a 12th-century French theologian, poet, and Breton scholastic known as the 'Universal Doctor'.

Timeline

  1. 1128–1150Lille · BrittanyBorn in the Lille area of Brittany, he received a classical and theological education before going on to further study in Paris and elsewhere, displaying broad talents in rhetoric, logic, and theology.
  2. 1151–1175Paris · Île-de-FranceActive in Parisian academic circles from the 1150s, he taught theology and composed allegorical poems; his works such as 'Rules of Theology against the Pagans' reconciled faith and reason through systematic classification and poetic expression, earning him the title 'Universal Doctor'.
  3. 1175–1202Montpellier · OccitaniaAfter c. 1175 he moved to Montpellier and elsewhere to continue teaching, possibly entering a Cistercian monastery in his later years; he died c. 1202, and his synthetic theological method and allegorical poetry continued to influence 13th-century scholastic circles.

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