Born at Calaruega, Spain, in 1170, and died in Bologna in 1221. He studied at the University at Palencia where he was probably ordained. In 1203 he accompanied Bishop Diego de Avezedo of Osma to Languedoc where Dominic preached against the Albigensians and helped reform the Cistercians, a religious order founded in France. In 1214 Dominic with six followers founded an order devoted to the conversion of the Albigensians; the order received Pope Honorius III's approval in 1216 and the Order of Preachers (the Dominicans) was founded. Dominic spent the last years of this life organising the order, travelling all over Italy, Spain and France, preaching and attracting new members and establishing new houses. The new order was phenomenally successful in conversion work as it applied Dominic's concept of harmonising the intellectual life with popular needs. He convoked the first general council of the order at Bologna in 1220 and died there in 1221. He was canonised in 1234 and is the patron saint of astronomers.

Founded by St. Dominic in 1216, with Pope Innocent III's approval, the order was particularly dedicated to the fight against heresy and also to the conversion of Jews and Muslims. The Dominicans hoped to achieve this goal by preaching and public debate. Since this called for extensive knowledge of theology and philosophy, the friars had to be carefully educated. Many members of the order gained teaching positions in European universities. When preaching failed to convert heretics, the Dominicans resorted to legal remedies, and thus became the leading administrators of the medieval inquisition.

RETURN TO RELIGION AND EXPLORATION