Alcuin
Alcuin (735-804) of York, also known as Albinus, was a theologian and a learned Englishman, who became adviser to Charlemagne. He was a disciple of Bede, and a great teacher and scholar.Once, Charlemagne invited him to introduce scholarly culture into the empire and establish libraries and schools of learning. It was due to his efforts, Charlemagne's court was transformed into a cultural center during the Carolingian Renaissance. He was one of those men whose work lies more in what they influence others to do than in what they do themselves.
He was born near the East coast of England and was sent to York to study. He served as a teacher in this school first and then in other schools. He developed the Carolingian minuscule, a clear script which has become the basis of the way the letters of the present Roman alphabet are written. It was an important development because it was much more readable than the old unspaced capital script. Many works were freshly copied in this new script.
Wisdom & Quotes
- Vox populi , vox Dei. ( The voice of the people is the voice of God.)
- In the morning, at the height of my powers, I sowed the seed in Britain, now in the evening when my blood is growing cold I am still sowing in France, hoping both will grow, by the grace of God, giving some the honey of the holy scriptures, making others drunk on the old wine of ancient learning...
Harun al-Rashid