Theologian of the Hermits of the
Order of Saint Augustine, born according to the chroniclers of his
order, at Udine, about 1368; died at Venice, 15 June, 1428. He
made his religious profession in the Convent of Saint Stephen,
Venice, whence the name, Venetus. In 1390 he is said to have been
sent to Oxford for his studies in theology, but returned to Italy,
and finished his course at Padua. He lectured in the University at
Padua during the first quarter of the fifteenth century. His
writings, aside from any question of their present worth, show a
wide knowledge and interest in the scientific problems of his
time. Besides the usual lectures on the four books of "Sentences",
sermons, and instructions, he wrote "De Conceptione B. Mariae
Virginis", "De quadratura circuli", "De
circulis componentibus mundum", "Logica parva et logica
magna". This last, also known as "Logica Duplex",
was largely used as a textbook during the fifteenth and sixteenth
centuries, and was several times reprinted. Paulus was one of the
theologians called to Rome in 1427, by Martin V, to take
cognizance of the charges brought against St. Bernardine of Siena,
occasioned by the preaching of the "new devotion" to the
Holy Name.
FRANCIS
E. TOURSCHER