John Major (theologian)
John Major , or John Mair (* approx. 1467 in North Berwick , † 1550 in St Andrews ) was a Scottish theologian , philosopher and writer in the Renaissance .
Life
Major studied theology and philosophy at St Andrews University . In 1493 he went to the Sorbonne in Paris and stayed there as a philosophy teacher after completing his studies. He returned to Scotland in 1515 , first teaching at the University of Glasgow and later working in St Andrews , where he taught for the last two decades of his life. Major was a prolific writer who wrote several theological treatises and also commentaries on Aristotle and various medieval philosophers. Major was known for his support for conciliarism . His best-known work is The History of Great Britain , the first edition of which appeared in Latin in 1521 . Major was famous as a writer and teacher during his lifetime and his lectures were attended by young John Knox , Johannes Calvin and George Buchanan .
Web links
- A study site with extensive literature by and about John Major
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Major, John |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Mair, John |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Scottish theologian, philosopher and author |
| DATE OF BIRTH | around 1467 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | North Berwick |
| DATE OF DEATH | 1550 |
| Place of death | St Andrews |