Suarez

Suarez, FRANCISCO (1548-1617), a learned Jesuit, born at Granada. In 1597 he became professor of theology at Coimbra. As a schoolman he attempted to reconcile the views of Realists and Nominalists regarding Universals. In theology his Congruism was a development of the views of Molina (q.v.). His Tractatus de Legibus ac Deo Legislatore claims a divine origin for all laws, but combats the divine right of kings. The Defensio Catholicae Fidei was written in opposition to the claims of sovereignty put forward by James 1. of England.