INTRODUCTION
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,pr erly 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