ALBERT THE GREAT

Albert was the son of a German count. He joined the newly established mendicant order of the Dominican Friars against his family's wishes and, with Thomas Aquinas, his pupil, became the order's most brilliant scholar. 

His gifts and interests were wide ranging, encompassing physics, astronomy, chemistry, botany, geography, geology, physiology, logic, metaphysics and ethics. He is one of the first among the greatest of natural scientists and is among the Doctors of the Church.

(09-29-02)