Erasmus

NAME Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus. He was also known as Erasmus of Rotterdam.

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Erasmus is famous for being a Dutch Renaissance humanist, Catholic priest, social critic, teacher, and theologian. He was a leading scholar of the northern Renaissance, known for his satirical writings, his work on classical texts, and his new Latin and Greek editions of the New Testament.

BIRTH Erasmus was probably born on October 27 or 28, 1466, in Rotterdam, Holland (now in the Netherlands). The exact date remains uncertain, with some sources suggesting 1469, but most scholars now accept 1466 as more likely

FAMILY BACKGROUND His parents were not legally married. His father, Gerard, was a Catholic priest and curate in Gouda. His mother, Margaretha Rogerius, was the daughter of a physician from Zevenbergen and may have been Gerard's housekeeper. This illegitimate birth was something Erasmus felt to be a stain on his character, causing him to obscure details about his youth in later life, 

CHILDHOOD Although born out of wedlock, Erasmus was cared for by both parents until their early deaths from the plague in 1483. After becoming orphaned, Erasmus and his brother were sent to monastic schools. He always felt his illegitimacy to be a stain and later threw a smoke screen around his youth to protect his reputation.

EDUCATION After his parents died, Erasmus received his early education at a school run by the Brethren of the Common Life. In 1492, he took vows as a canon regular at the canonry of Stein in South Holland and was ordained to the Catholic priesthood at about the age of 25. He later studied philosophy and Greek at the University of Paris, supporting himself by giving private tuition.

While in England, Erasmus was particularly impressed by the Bible teaching of John Colet who pursued a style more akin to the church fathers than the Scholastics. This prompted the Dutch academic to master the Greek language, which would enable him to study theology on a more profound level and to prepare a new edition of Jerome's Bible translation.

Erasmus succeeded in learning Greek by an intensive, day-and-night study of three years, despite a chronic shortage of money. He continuously begged his friends to send him books and money for teachers in his letters.

CAREER RECORD Ordained a Catholic priest on April 25, 1492.

1493-1495 Served as secretary to the Bishop of Cambrai.

1495-1521 Traveled and studied extensively throughout Europe, including England, France, and Italy.

1510-1514 Taught at the University of Cambridge.

1513-1536 Worked with printer Johann Froben in Basel, producing many of his most important works.

1516 Became an honorary councillor to Charles V.

APPEARANCE Erasmus was described as having a slight build with a delicate constitution, fair complexion, and sharp, intelligent features and blue-grey eyes. Hans Holbein painted Erasmus at least three times, and perhaps as many as seven. The Dutch academic used the Holbein portraits as gifts for his friends in England, such as William Warham, the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Desiderius Erasmus in 1523 as depicted by Hans Holbein the Younge

FASHION He dressed simply and modestly, in keeping with his scholarly and clerical status. Erasmus favored the attire of a learned man rather than luxurious or ostentatious clothing.

CHARACTER Erasmus was known for his wit, intelligence, and independence of mind. He was gentle, conciliatory, and deeply committed to intellectual honesty and reform within the Church, though he avoided extremes and confrontation.

SPEAKING VOICE Contemporary accounts suggest Erasmus spoke with clarity and eloquence, reflecting his education and mastery of Latin. His lectures and conversations were said to be engaging and persuasive.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Erasmus of Rotterdam was renowned for his wit and humor, which he skillfully deployed throughout his works, particularly in his most famous satirical piece, The Praise of Folly ), published in 1511.

One of the most notable examples of Erasmus' humor appears in the very title and dedication of The Praise of Folly. The work's Latin title, "Moriae Encomium," contains a clever wordplay—it's dedicated to his close friend Thomas More, creating a pun between "Moriae" (folly) and "More". This kind of intellectual humor, combining wordplay with personal connection, exemplifies Erasmus' style of wit that was sophisticated yet playful.

In The Praise of Folly, Erasmus adopts the persona of Folly herself, who takes the rostrum to defend her reputation and importance to humanity. Through this character, he satirizes virtually every segment of society, from scholars and merchants to priests and rulers. Folly pompously declares herself essential to human existence, boldly stating, "you'll find nothing frolic or fortunate that it owes not to me". This ironic self-aggrandizement serves as the vehicle for Erasmus to deliver his social critique.

His humor wasn't limited to "The Praise of Folly." In his collection Adagia, Erasmus unearthed and popularized numerous expressions and metaphors from classical literature that we still use today. Examples include "crocodile tears," "to call a spade a spade," "on the razor's edge," and "one hand washes the other". He accompanied these with entertaining explanations about their origins, featuring stories of "kings triumphant and beaten, husbands cuckolded, strange beasts and wondrous events," creating what was once called "the world's first bedside book". (1)

RELATIONSHIPS He formed close intellectual friendships with many leading scholars and churchmen, including Thomas More and John Colet. Erasmus never married and dedicated his life to scholarship and correspondence with intellectuals across Europe.

MONEY AND FAME Erasmus achieved considerable fame during his lifetime as a scholar and writer, though he was never wealthy. He relied on patronage and the proceeds from his published works, which were widely read and influential across Europe.

FOOD AND DRINK Erasmus suffered from poor health and complained that Queens' College, Cambridge could not supply him with enough decent wine (wine was the Renaissance medicine for gallstones, from which he suffered). His dietary preferences were shaped by his health concerns, and he was known to be particular about what he consumed.

MUSIC AND ARTS Erasmus admired the visual arts in a somewhat reserved, intellectual way. He lived during the Northern Renaissance, brushing shoulders (figuratively and literally) with painters like Hans Holbein the Younger, who famously painted his portrait. Erasmus praised Holbein’s ability to capture the spirit of a man, not just the likeness—a very humanist thing to say. But there’s no record of Erasmus ever dabbling in painting himself. Brushes were far too messy, and ink was more his style.

As for music, Erasmus wasn’t opposed to it—but he was skeptical of its excesses, especially in church. He wrote about church music becoming too ornate, complaining that it could distract from the actual message of the liturgy. In his view, music should serve clarity and devotion, not showmanship. That said, he had a decent education in the liberal arts, which included musica as one of the classical quadrivium subjects, so he wasn’t ignorant—just more Palestrina than Paganini.

LITERATURE Erasmus’s main hobby—his all-consuming passion, really—was reading, writing, editing, and more reading. He described himself as someone who would “always choose a book over a banquet.” He traveled constantly but often complained that it disrupted his reading schedule. He loved classical literature, especially the works of Cicero and other ancient Roman authors, and he believed that studying these texts could refine one’s morals and improve Christian life. In that way, you could say he was an early advocate of the humanities.

He sent thousands—sharp, witty, philosophical, and sometimes biting. Erasmus was possibly the most prolific emailer of the 16th century (if such a thing had existed), and many of these letters were later collected and published. They reveal not only his vast network of intellectual pen pals but also his sense of humor and love of wordplay.

Erasmus by Hans Holbein the Younger. Louvre, Paris.

If there had been a Renaissance edition of the Guinness Book of World Records—and frankly, the Renaissance was long overdue for one—Desiderius Erasmus would have taken up half of it. By the 1530s, his books accounted for a gobsmacking 10 to 20 percent of all printed matter sold in Europe. In an age when people were still getting used to the idea that books could arrive faster than plagues, this was no small thing.

Erasmus was, by all accounts, the most widely read man of his time. He wrote about everything: religion, education, classical languages, politics, how to be a decent Christian without becoming unbearable, and even proverbs—thousands of them. If it had words, Erasmus had an opinion.

His Greatest Hits:

The Greek New Testament (1516) was his magnum opus,  and it gets its own heading below

The Adages (1500) began as a modest collection of old sayings and ended up as an enormous compendium of classical wit and wisdom. Over 3,000 proverbs, each lovingly dusted off and annotated, like a museum curator who talks too much but is oddly captivating.

The Praise of Folly (1511) was a satire so sly and so sharp it sliced through the bloated egos of clerics, theologians, and academics like a hot knife through butter-drenched self-importance. Folly herself narrates the whole thing, and she’s annoyingly clever.

He also wrote Julius Excluded from Heaven, in which a recently deceased pope tries to argue his way into heaven and gets firmly, if politely, turned away. It's probably the funniest thing ever written in Latin about ecclesiastical gatekeeping.

Education of a Christian Prince Erasmus believed that education could redeem the world—or at least make it slightly less ridiculous. His Education of a Christian Prince was a kind of 16th-century TED Talk for future rulers. De pueris instituendis laid out how children should be raised to be decent and peaceful, instead of petty and violent like, well, most adults.

Even his schoolbook Colloquies began life as Latin practice but morphed into a sly commentary on everything from pilgrimages to bathroom etiquette.

He influenced just about everyone: Rabelais, Montaigne, Francis Bacon—even people who disagreed with him couldn’t help but read him. He’s a towering figure in biblical studies, educational reform, Renaissance humanism, and the fine art of passive-aggressive religious critique.

In short, Erasmus was that rare intellectual who could be simultaneously precise and hilarious, idealistic and practical, a devout Christian and a biting satirist. He wanted a better, wiser, kinder world—and believed the best way to get there was by reading more books and thinking very, very carefully about what they said.

And miraculously, 500 years on, people still are.

PUBLICATION OF GREEK NEW TESTAMENT The first printed Greek New Testament, technically speaking, was the one lurking quietly inside the Complutensian Polyglot, printed in 1514 but not published until 1522—by which time everyone had quite forgotten they were supposed to be impressed. It sat on the shelf like a fruitcake at Christmas, waiting for someone to open it.

Meanwhile, Erasmus was hard at work in Rotterdam. He cobbled together a Greek New Testament of his own, Novum Instrumentum omne, and flung it into the world in 1516—making it the first to be published, even if it wasn’t quite the first to be printed. A fine distinction, but one Erasmus would have enjoyed explaining over a glass of something scholarly.

Now, Erasmus didn’t exactly have the best tools for the job. His manuscripts were mostly from the 12th century or later—rather like trying to reconstruct Shakespeare from someone’s high school essay on Hamlet. To top it off, he didn’t have the full Book of Revelation, so he bravely translated the final six verses back into Greek from the Latin. It was a bit like trying to reverse-engineer a cake from the smell.

Typographical errors? Oh yes, heaps. But he was in a hurry, you see. Possibly the only man in history to think: “Let’s rush the Bible.”

In total, five editions of his work were published. The third, from 1522, would go on to inspire William Tyndale’s English New Testament in 1526, as well as the Geneva Bible and eventually the King James Version—proof that even a slightly frazzled start can lead to something glorious.

So, despite its quirks and crinkles, Erasmus’s Greek New Testament rattled the theological teacups of Europe and helped kick off the Reformation. Not bad for a project started with mismatched scraps, good intentions, and a slightly twitchy deadline.

NATURE While Erasmus's primary focus was on scholarship and writing, his works reflect an appreciation for the natural world as a backdrop for human life and a source of moral reflection.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS  Erasmus's life was largely dedicated to his scholarly pursuits. His primary "hobbies" were reading, writing, and engaging in intellectual discourse.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Erasmus's focus was primarily on the humanities, classical studies, and theology, rather than science and mathematics.

BELIEFS Although Erasmus was a Catholic, he was critical of the Roman Catholic Church and wrote satires of them. He wished for a reform of worldly popes and ignorant monks and a revival of biblical studies according to the principles of the early Fathers of the Church.

Erasmus argued in favour of a faith directly inspired by the Gospels. He wrote "I believe firmly what I read in the holy Scriptures, and the Creed, called the Apostles, and I don't trouble my head any farther: I leave the rest to be disputed and defined by the clergy, if they please; and if any Thing is in common use with Christians that is not repugnant to the holy Scriptures, I observe it for this Reason, that I may not offend other people."

Erasmus lived against the backdrop of the growing European religious Reformation but kept his distance from Martin Luther and continued to recognise the authority of the pope. He emphasized a middle way, with a deep respect for traditional faith, piety and grace, and rejected Luther's emphasis on faith alone.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Erasmus was not a systematic philosopher, but his works reveal a distinctive habit of mind that influenced many thinkers in Northern Europe. His thought is best described as "Christian Humanism," combining Christian theology with classical traditions.

He emphasized the importance of education in human development and believed in the preponderance of nurture over nature. For Erasmus, ignorance was humanity's greatest enemy, while reason was what separated humans from animals. (2)

Theologically, Erasmus advocated for a return to the simplicity of early Christianity. He criticized ecclesiastical abuses and superstition in the church while remaining loyal to Catholicism. He supported reform through gentle reasoning rather than radical breaks with tradition.

His most significant theological contribution was his critical edition of the Greek New Testament, which symbolized the humanist desire to return to the sources of Christian tradition. This work influenced both Catholic and Protestant biblical scholarship for centuries.

POLITICS Erasmus maintained connections with political and religious leaders throughout Europe but avoided direct political involvement. He corresponded with kings, popes, and reformers, offering advice while maintaining his independence.

His political thought emphasized peace, moderation, and reform through education rather than revolution. He criticized the corruption of power in both church and state but advocated for change within existing institutions rather than their overthrow. (3)

SCANDAL Erasmus's birth out of wedlock could have been considered a scandal at the time, but he himself was not directly involved in major scandals during his life. His criticisms of the Church and some theologians did create controversy.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Erasmus suffered from chronic health problems throughout his life, including gallstones, for which wine was considered a medicine during the Renaissance. His poor health was one of the reasons given for his dispensation from monastic vows. Despite his physical frailty, he maintained an extraordinary work ethic and intellectual output.

HOMES Erasmus was famously peripatetic, living in numerous locations across Europe. He resided in monasteries, universities, and private homes in Rotterdam, Paris, London, Cambridge, Basel, and Freiburg, among other places. His longest periods of residence were in Basel, where he lived from 1521 to 1529 and returned for his final year

TRAVEL Erasmus was a prolific traveler. His travels were driven by his scholarly pursuits, teaching positions, and the need to be near printers and libraries. He journeyed across Europe, including to England, France, Italy, and Switzerland.

DEATH Desiderius Erasmus died on July 12, 1536, in Basel, Switzerland. His death came suddenly from an attack of dysentery while he was preparing to return to Brabant, having accepted an invitation from Queen Mary of Hungary, Regent of the Netherlands.

According to his friend and biographer Beatus Rhenanus, Erasmus' last words were "Lord, put an end to it" (Latin: domine fac finem) followed by "Dear God" (Dutch: Lieve God). He was approximately 69 years old at the time of his death.

Despite being a loyal Catholic throughout his life, there are no records indicating whether Erasmus received the last rites of the Catholic Church before his death. Contemporary reports do not mention if he requested a Catholic priest, and it's unclear if any were secretly or privately available in Basel at that time. This absence of information aligns with Erasmus' own theological perspective that "outward signs were not important; what mattered was the believer's direct relationship with God". (4)

Erasmus' funeral was remarkable for its ecumenical nature. Despite Basel being a Protestant city by the time of his death, the Protestant city authorities allowed his funeral to be conducted as a Catholic requiem Mass. This unusual accommodation demonstrates the immense respect Erasmus commanded across religious divides, even during the intense religious conflicts of the Reformation era.

Erasmus was buried with great ceremony in the Basel Minster (Basler Münster), the former cathedral of the city. This location is particularly significant because although Erasmus remained Catholic throughout his life, he was interred in what had by then become the main church of the Protestants in Basel.

An interesting detail about his burial is that a copy of the famous bronze medallion made by Quentin Metsys in 1519, bearing Erasmus' image, was placed next to his body at the time of burial.

The exact location of Erasmus' tomb within the Basel Minster was forgotten over the centuries, especially after his ornate inscription was moved in the 19th century from the central nave to a side nave. In 1928, when the original epitaph was found in the floor and a tomb was discovered underneath, it was initially assumed that Erasmus' remains had been found.

However, this identification was problematic as the skeleton did not match Erasmus' known physical characteristics. It indicated a taller person than expected, showed signs of chronic syphilis, and had an unusually small, flattened skull.

In 1974, during subsequent excavations, another 16th-century tomb was found next to the first skeleton, containing the remains of a shorter man who had died at about age seventy—characteristics more consistent with what we know of Erasmus. Unfortunately, during the excavation, a photographer's camera lens fell and shattered the skull, leaving only the jaw and some teeth. Despite this accident, researchers were able to identify these remains as Erasmus', partly due to the discovery of a copy of the Metsys medallion in the tomb.

According to some sources, Erasmus' bones were eventually lost, adding a final ironic chapter to the story of this great humanist whose works have endured for centuries while his physical remains have had a more complicated fate.

Epitaph for Erasmus in the Basel Minster. By Bic Wikipedia

A bronze statue of Erasmus was erected in his birthplace of Rotterdam in 1622, replacing an earlier stone work, serving as a more enduring memorial to his legacy than his actual burial site.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Erasmus doesn’t exactly dominate pop culture the way, say, Henry VIII or Leonardo da Vinci might—but he does make some notable appearances across media, especially in works that like their thinkers a little sarcastic and their history a little spicy. Here’s a quick tour of where the “Prince of Humanists” has popped up in the modern world:

🎬 Film and Television While Erasmus hasn’t starred in a blockbuster biopic (yet—looking at you, Ridley Scott), he shows up in some niche and educational settings:

He appears in several historical and religious documentaries, often as the voice of reason in contrast to the fiery reformers of his time. Think BBC or Dutch public television productions with lots of candlelit manuscripts and slow pans over cathedrals.

Erasmus is occasionally portrayed in films and TV series about Martin Luther, usually as the slightly exasperated older intellectual trying to keep the peace while everyone else is setting things on fire. In these roles, he’s often the guy saying, “Let’s not rush into heresy, shall we?”

📚 Novels and Fiction Erasmus doesn’t headline many novels, but he’s a supporting character in historical fiction, usually as the wry scholar navigating political and religious minefields with a quill and a headache.

In Hilary Mantel–style historical fiction, he tends to appear in passing references or letters, often in connection to Thomas More or the early Reformation. Authors like Margaret George, Dorothy Dunnett, and Robert Bolt (in A Man for All Seasons, though Erasmus doesn’t appear, his influence looms) nod to him.

🖼️ Visual Arts and Pop Culture Hans Holbein the Younger painted several portraits of Erasmus—some of which have become meme-worthy for their sheer intensity. If you've seen a Renaissance man with a fur collar, a feather pen, and a vibe that says "I'm trying very hard to be patient," it was probably Erasmus.

In the Netherlands, Erasmus is something of a national icon. Statues, stamps, street names, even beer labels have honored him. There’s even a university named after him: Erasmus University Rotterdam, complete with Erasmus MC (the Netherlands' largest medical center).

🏛️ Cultural Legacy & Awards The Erasmus Prize is a  prestigious annual award presented by the Praemium Erasmianum Foundation, given to individuals or institutions that have made exceptional contributions to culture, society, or social science, in the spirit of Erasmus’ own values.

🗣️ Modern Discourse & Memes Praise of Folly quotes pop up on social media among the well-read and mildly cynical. Erasmus’ biting wit about hypocrisy, bureaucracy, and the human condition lends itself quite well to Twitter/X and quote-of-the-day calendars.

ACHIEVEMENTS Produced new Latin and Greek editions of the New Testament.

Wrote The Praise of Folly and other satirical works.

Edited and published classical texts.

Advocated for religious tolerance and reform.

Influenced the development of humanism in Europe.

Contributed significantly to biblical scholarship.

Sources (1) Erasmatazz (2) Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (3) Study.com (4) Star Early College