Research topic: John Gerson

John Gerson (Jean Charlier de Gerson) , 1363-1429, French ecclesiastical statesman and writer. He studied (1377-94) under Pierre d' Ailly at the Univ. of Paris, where he took his doctorate in theology and succeeded Ailly as chancellor (1395). Both Ailly and Gerson were anxious to end the Great Schism (see Schism, Great ). When they were unsuccessful in having both Benedict XIII (see Luna, Pedro de ) and Gregory XII resign, they began to urge that the schism be ended by action of a general council. The Council of Pisa resulted, and Gerson wrote a tract (1409) to defend it. The tract... Read more