Sketches of the lives and writings of emancipators of the
European mind :—
BACON, ROGER (1214–1292)—His discoveries—Persecuted by the
ignorant clergy and imprisoned by Pope Urban IV.-Re-
leased by Pope Clement IV., who ordered the publication of
his works-Opus Major.
DANTE, properly Durante Alighieri (1265—1321)—First and greatest
of modern poets of Italy-His troubles-Published his "De
Monarchie," 1309 ?-His "Divina Commedia," ? date.
PETRARCH (or Petrarca) FRANCESCO (1304-1374) - Restorer of
ancient Literature-His opinion of the legal profession of his
time-His poetry-His description of himself—His notion of
true wisdom-His description of the place of his abode
BOCCACCIO GIOVANNI (1313-1375)-Brief sketch of his life-His
love of poetry and the society of learned men-His writings-
The Decameron, life of Dante, translation of Homer into Latin
-The first to introduce copies of the Iliad and Odyssey from
Greece into modern Italy-His efforts to secure the learning
of Greek, and to substitute the ancient for the scholastic
philosophy-First of the professors appointed by the Floren-
tines to do honour to the memory of Dante
WICKLIFFE, Wiclif, or De Wycliffe, JOHN (1324—1384)—Brief
sketch of his life-His first attack upon the authority of the
Pope, supported by John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster; cited
to appear at St. Paul's, then at Lambeth Palace, protected by
nobles and the populace-Condemned by the synod for his
four propositions-Translated the Old and New Testament
CHAUCER, GEOFFREY (1328—1400)-Brief Sketch of his life-His
'Court of Love,' 'Testament of Love,' 'Canterbury Tales.'
Huss, JOHN (1373–1415)—Brief sketch of his life-Studies the
writings of Wickliffe, and becomes a bold advocate of reform-
Nobility and people resent the arbitrary decrees of the papacy