St. Anselm of Canterbury, the “Father of Scholasticism”

Statue of St. Anselm on the southwest porch of 
Canterbury Cathedral, holding a copy of 
Cur Deus Homo in its right hand. 
(Source: Photo by Ealdgyth @ Wikimedia)

As prior and abbot, Anselm made the Benedictine monastery of Bec the center of a true reformation in Normandy and England. From this monastery he exercised a restraining influence on popes, kings, the worldly great, and entire religious orders. Raised to the dignity of Archbishop of Canterbury and primate of England, he waged a heroic campaign in defense of the rights and liberties of the Church. As a result he was deprived of goods and position and finally banned from the country. He journeyed to Rome, and at the Council of Bari supported Pope Urban II against the errors of the Greeks. His writings bear eloquent testimony to his moral stature and learning, and have earned for him the title of "Father of Scholasticism." —Pius Parsch: The Church's Year of Grace.

Recommended reading:
● "Saint Anselm of Canterbury" in A History of Western Philosophy, Vol. II, by Ralph McInerny.
● "The Rise of Scholasticism — St. Anselm (1034-1109)" in St. Thomas Aquinas and Medieval Philosophy, by D.J. Kennedy, O.P.
● The Life and Times of St. Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of the Britains, by Martin Rule: Vol. 1 and Vol. 2.
● Works of St. Anselm at Christian Classics Ethereal Library (click on Anselm).
● Several works of St. Anselm translated and online here:  Jasper Hopkins info.