Luis de Montesinos

Spanish theologian, date and place of birth unknown; d. 7 Oct., 1621. He entered the Dominican Order and studied philosophy and theology in the Spanish universities where he gained a reputation for sound scholarship and solid piety that made him illustrious among the savants of his time. Beginning his career as professor of philosophy, he was gradually promoted to the most important chairs. He was the foremost exponent of Thomistic theology at the University of Alcalá. His vast erudition, power of penetration, and clearness of exposition won for him the surname Doctor clarus . He possessed a singular charm of manner which secured for him at once love and respect. Such was his success in teaching that his lecture hall, though one of the largest in Spain, was too small to admit his audiences. For thirty years he taught with untiring zeal and devotion, refusing all ecclesiastical honours. Though threatened with total blindness in his latter years, he continued to teach till his death. He is the author of "Commentaria in primam secundae S. Thomae" (Alcalá, 1622).