(c.735–804)
English scholar, born at York where he was a teacher until his mid-40s. He then went to direct the palace school for Charlemagne at *Aachen. He was largely responsible for the programme of studies which spread through Charlemagne's empire to become the basis of European medieval education. One phrase of his is frequently quoted, from a letter to Charlemagne in 800: Vox populi, vox Dei (the voice of the people is the voice of God). In isolation it sounds like an early call for democracy, but this was precisely the opposite of Alcuin's meaning. He urges the emperor that 'those people should not be listened to who keep saying Vox populi, vox Dei, since the riotousness of the crowd is always very close to madness'.
|
|
|