Albert was born in Swabia - a region that now contains Stuttgart, Germany - around 1200. He studied at the University of Padua and the University of Paris, which then was the intellectual center of western Europe. He joined the Dominican Order and became the first German Dominican friar to receive a master of theology degree.
Albert became one of the great scholars of his age. He led the way in introducing the writings of Aristotle to Western thought. He pioneered use of the inductive method of reasoning.
Albert also was a renowned scholar and researcher in natural science - studying animals, birds, insects, plants and minerals. His 40 volumes of writings served as an encyclopedia of human knowledge at the time in physics, geography, astronomy, mineralogy, chemistry, biology, mathematics, scripture, philosophy and theology.
His contemporaries called him "Albert the Great" ("Albertus Magnus") and "universal doctor." Thomas Aquinas was his pupil in Cologne.
Albert preached throughout the German and Bohemian regions, becoming one of the most famous preachers in western Europe. In 1256, he became papal theologian in Rome. Many of his writings focused on Mary, Mother of Jesus.
He died in 1280. In 1931, Pope Pius XI proclaimed him a saint and doctor of the church. In 1941, Pope Pius XII proclaimed him patron saint of natural scientists. His feast day is Nov. 15.
For even more information than that, you can read a book-length, online biography written by Sr. M. Albert Hughes, O.P.
Copyright 2009, Church of St. Albert the Great, 2836 33rd Ave S, Minneapolis MN 55406, 612-724-3643
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