Alcuin

Alcuin, or Alcuinus Flaccus Albinus, born at York about 753 A.D., and educated by Bede, obtained a high reputation for learning. Appointed Abbot of Canterbury in 782, he received an invitation from Charlemagne to undertake the intellectual regeneration of his empire. Alcuin accordingly became attached to the imperial court at Aix-la-Chapelle. He established schools, libraries, and other educational institutions, besides lecturing in person at Paris and elsewhere. His knowledge appears to have been wide and various, embracing Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and all the theological and philosophical learning of his day. Among other rich benefices conferred on him was the Abbey of St. Martin at Tours, where he died in 804.