Great Scholars of Christendom

The Scholars listed below include most of the great scholastic philosophers and Doctors of the Church of the High Middle Ages. Many of the early monks, friars, and teachers who established the University system in Europe are listed, as well as several brilliant Jesuit scholars who were influential in the counter-reformation and in drafting the documents of the Council of Trent.

Some, but not all of the Scholars featured in the "Science" unit, are included in the list of scholars. Medieval scholars noted primarily for their contributions to science are listed here, and here. A more complete list of Catholic philosophers and Theologians (from wikipedia) are listed here

Eleventh Century
• Peter Damian (1007-1073) — Reformer monk of the eleventh century who wrote scathing critiques of Church abuses during the Investiture controversy.
• Anselm (1033-1109) — Renowned Scholar of Bec Abbey and one of the founders of scholasticism. Resisted tyrannical kings as Archbishop of Canterbury . Doctor of the Church.
Twelfth Century
• Peter Abelard (1079-1142) — One of the greatest scholastic philosophers and popular lecturers of the twelfth century, associated with the University of Paris, but most famous for ill-fated love-affair with Heloise.
• Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) — Early Cistercian monk whose eloquence and scholarship persuaded many to join the order. Established the order's second Abbey at Clairvaux and promoted the crusades.
• William of Malmesbury (1095-1153) — Foremost scholar and historian of the Norman era. Wrote both political and ecclesiastic history of England covering 450-1120.
• Peter Lombard (1096-1160) — Scholar and Bishop of Paris who wrote a systematic compilation of Theology entitled Sentences that was used as an early textbook at the University of Paris and greatly influenced development of Scholastic philosophy.
Thirteenth Century
• Alexander of Hales (1185-1245) — English Franciscan, theologian and philosopher who taught and held a chair at the University of Paris. One of the leading developers of Scholasticism.
• Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) — Franciscan Friar, acclaimed for his works of mercy, who ministered in the town of Padua Italy.
• Duns Scotus (1266-1308) — Scottish Franciscan associated with Universities at both Oxford and Paris. Known as a theologian for his commentaries on Lombard's Sentences, and a well known proof of the existence of God.
• Bonaventure (1221-1274) — Theologian, philosopher, and doctor of the Church. Contemporary of Roger Bacon and Thomas Aquinas..
• Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) — Most influential philosopher and theologian in the scholastic tradition. Proponent of natural law, doctor of the church, and founder of Thomistic philosophy..
• Albertus Magnus (1206–1280) — Dominican friar and Bishop of Regensburg who was highly respected scholar at the University of Paris and teacher of Thomas Aquinas. Patron saint of natural sciences; Works in physics, logic, metaphysics, biology, and psychology.
• Roger Bacon (1214–1294) — Franciscan scholar from Oxford who made significant contributions to mathematics and optics and has been described as a forerunner of modern scientific method.
Fourteenth Century
• William of Ockham (1288-1348) — Franciscan scholar who wrote significant works on logic, physics, and theology; known for Occam's razor principle, that a simple explanation should be preferred to a complicated one. He is also known for proposing that outer space was a vacuum (without friction).
• Gregory of Rimini (1300-1358) — Great scholastic philosopher of the Middle Ages associated with the University of Paris. Known especially for his studies of St. Augustine.
• Nicholas of Cusa (1401–1464) — Cardinal, philosopher, jurist, mathematician, astronomer, and one of the great geniuses and polymaths of the 15th century. Highly respect scholar who proposed the possibility of multiple worlds and a non-geocentric universe.
Sixteenth Century — Reformation Era
• Erasmus of Rotterdam (1466-1536) — Dutch Reformation era humanist scholar. Emphasized the need for reform in the Church but repudiated the Protestants.
• Thomas More (1478-1543) — Lord Chancellor under Henry VIII. Dismissed, imprisoned, and finally executed for failing to support Henry's divorce.
• Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) — Founder of the 'Society of Jesus', who became the greatest post-reformation evangelists and teachers of the Catholic Faith.
• Peter Faber (1506-1546) — One of the original founders of the Society of Jesus and important theologian of the council of Trent.
• Peter Canisius (1521-1597) — Very influential early Jesuit who founded many Jesuit colleges in Germany and worked tirelessly to oppose the Protestant reformation.
• John of the Cross (1542-1591) — Carmelite mystic noted for his writings and as founder of the Discalced Carmelites. He is a doctor of the Church.
• Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) — Theologian, philosopher, and doctor of the Church. Renowned for his contributions to Catholic education.
• Lawrence of Brindisi (1559-1619 ) — Established many capuchin monasteries and evangelized Jews and Protestants. Doctor of the Church.
• Francis de Sales (1567-1622) — Reformation era bishop of Geneva who worked tirelessly to convert protestants and save Switzerland for the faith. Doctor of the Church known for spiritual writings.
• Francisco Suarez (1548-1617) — One of the greatest scholastic philosophers of the Reformation era. Associated with the School of Salamanca. Wrote on Law, Relationship of Church and State, and Metaphysics.
Seventeenth Century
• Giambattista Vico (1668-1744) — Enlightenment era Catholic political philosopher. Influential in re-envisioning political history as a 'social science.'
• Alphinsus Liguori (1696-1787) — Doctor of the Church and founder of the Redemptorists.

Female Scholars in Roman and Medieval Times

The Catholic University system grew out of the Monastic and Cathedrals school traditions and most instructors were religious. For these and other reasons, it was restricted mainly to men. There were, however, some important female scholars both in Ancient times and in the middle ages. Most female scholars in Ancient times were from noble families and received a classical education at the hands of tutors. During the Middle Ages, most Female Scholars were religious and rose to be Abbesses or involved in founding convents or monasteries. Often convents associated with Monasteries or mendicant orders had access to libraries and spiritual directors who helped guide the studies of scholarly women.

More information about some of the great female scholars of Christendom can be found are listed here.

Noblewomen of Classical Age
• Catherine of Alexandria (287-305) — Fourth century Virgin Martyr who was a noblewoman and a scholar. She is thought to have spoken to Joan of Arc.
• Macrina the Younger (330-379) — Sister of Gregory of Nyssam, Basil the Great, and Peter of Sebaste who was a scholar and tutored her younger brothers.
• Paula (347-404) — Roman noblewomn who became a companion of St. Jerome. Assisted him in his translation of the Bible and helped him found a monastery and convent in the Holy lands.
Abbesses and Religious Women
• Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) — German abbess who was a zoologist, physician, poet, playwright, and musician. Named a doctor of the church in 2012.
• Herrad of Landsberg (1130-1195) — German Abbess who was the author of Hortus Diliciarum, the first encyclopedia ever written by a woman, intended for the instruction of other nuns.
• Gertrude the Great (1256-1302) — German abbess who combined the virtues of scholarship and learning with humility and service.
• Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) — Italian nun and scholar who went as an ambassador to Avignon to try to heal the Western Schism.
• Teresa of Avila (1414-1582) — Abbess who reformed Carmelite monasteries, founded the Discalced Carmelites. She was declared a doctor of the church on account of her writings on mysticism, prayer, and spirituality.
• Edith Stein (1891-1942) — German Jewish philosopher who became a Carmelite nun. Martyred by the Nazi's for her Jewish heritage.