Sarpi

Sarpi, PIETRO, born at Venice in 1552, entered at an early age the Servite order of Augustinians, and was known as Fra Paolo. He soon made a name, not only as a theologian, but also as a mathematician and orientalist, obtaining a professorship in a convent at his native place. From 1579 to 1588 he was at Rome on the business of his order. Until 1605 his life was passed in quiet study. He then plunged into the disputes between Paul V. and the Venetian Republic, was excommnnicated, and all but killed by assassins in 1607. With broken health he retired to his cloister, and composed the powerful works on which his fame now rests, though he never avowed their authorship - viz. The History of the Council of Trent (first published in England). The History of Ecclesiastical Benefices, and the treatise concerning The Inquisition. He died in 1623.