Robert, known as ‘Grosseteste' (= ‘great head'), bishop of Lincoln (1235-1253), was one of the foremost thinkers of the English middle ages and a prominent statesman. A polymath, his achievement in any of the inter-related intellectual spheres he contributed to would have ensured his place in history. Grosseteste's writings encompass speculative and pastoral theology, biblical commentary, philosophy, translations from Greek, scientific works and poetry.
Little is known about Grosseteste's life before he became a bishop. Sometime around 1168 he was born into a poor family that lived in Stowe in Suffolk and he had a sister, Ivette, who became a nun. Towards the end of the century his name appears as a witness on charters and legal documents connected with the diocese of Hereford. In
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Citation: Flood, John. "Robert Grosseteste". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 28 January 2008 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=1894, accessed 24 November 2024.]
