Epistolae Obscurorum Virorum

Epistolae Obscurorum Virorum ("Letters of insignificant men"), a title given to some burlesque and witty, though often indecent letters published at Cologne in the 16th century, and having for their object the bringing into contempt the literary doctrines and methods of the schoolmen and monks. These letters emanated from the knot of scholars of the revival of learning, and have been variously attributed to Reuchlin, to Erasmus, and to Ulrich von Hutten. The last of the three did write a second part in 1517, but the first part appeared in 1516, and is said to have been the work of Crotus Rubianus. The letters had some influence in bringing about the Reformation, and were placed upon the Index. There is an edition with commentary (1889).