Albertus Magnus (1193 – 1280), also known as Saint Albert the Great, was a German Dominican friar, philosopher, scientist, and bishop. Later canonised as a saint, he was known during his lifetime as Doctor universalis and Doctor expertus and was later officially declared a Doctor of the Church.  Late in his life, the title Magnus (“the Great”) was added to his name. 

Albert’s writings displayed encyclopedic knowledge of topics such as logic, theology, botany, geography, astronomy, astrology, mineralogy, alchemy, zoology, physiology, phrenology, justice, law, friendship, and love.  Prior to Albert, there was no systematic study of minerals and he is credited with the discovery of the element arsenic.  He interpreted, systematized, and commentated on the whole of Aristotle’s works. Most modern knowledge of Aristotle was preserved and presented by Albert.  His principal theological works are a commentary in three volumes on the Books of the Sentences of Peter Lombard (Magister Sententiarum), and the Summa Theologiae in two volumes.  He is sometimes referred to as the greatest German philosopher and theologian of the Middle Ages.  In his Divine Comedy, Dante places Albertus with his pupil Thomas Aquinas among the great lovers of wisdom (Spiriti Sapienti) in the Heaven of the Sun.