Bonaventure of Bagnoregio (also known as “Doctor Seraphicus”) is a towering figure of medieval philosophy, whose massive production encompasses works of exegesis, theology, hagiography, and mysticism, as well as a plethora of administrative and liturgic texts that he produced throughout his career as university professor and as Minister General of the Franciscan order. Both a prolific intellectual and a talented administrator, Bonaventure had to weather stormy waters during his lifetime.
The Franciscan order – the essential context for Bonaventure’s life and works – originated in central Italy in the first half of the thirteenth century under the charismatic leadership of Francis of Assisi (1181/2-…
2125 words
Citation: Gelmi, Alberto. "Saint Bonaventure". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 30 July 2020 [https://staging.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=14485, accessed 19 April 2024.]
