ADAM PULCHRAE MULIERIS

Secular master of theology at Paris; fl. 1210–1250. The personage designated by this perennially enigmatic name is gradually becoming better identified. He was Master Adam who read the Sentences at Paris (1243–1245) under Peter of Lamballe (d. 1256), the text of which is preserved in Paris MS, Bibl. Nat. Lat. 15652. He was a contemporary of Eudes Rigauld (fl. 1236–75), Peter the Archbishop (fl. 1245–48), Stephen of Poligny (fl.1242–48), and John Pagus (fl. 1231–46), but older than Bertrand of Bayonne (fl. 1240–59), albert the great, Eudes of Rosny, and John Pointlasne (Pungens asinum ; fl. 1245–48). Having been a master of arts, he was probably fairly well known in his day, for he composed De intelligentiis (or Memoriale rerum difficilium ) between 1210 and 1240. In it he manifests knowledge of various writings of aristotle, notably the Metaphysics, and at least one treatise by avicenna. He seems to have been inspired by the hierarchical illumination theme of pseudo-dionysius and to have had a profoundly voluntaristic conception of man and life. His activities and influence cannot be fully appreciated until publication of numerous treatises attributed to "Master Adam," including those of adam of buckfield or Bouchermefort.

Bibliography: p. glorieux, Répertoire des maîtres en théologie de Paris au XIII ^esiècle (Paris 1933–34) v. 17–18 of Bibliothèque Thomiste, 1:288; "Les Années 1242–1247 à la Faculté de Théologie de Paris," Recherches de théologie ancienne et médiévale 29 (Louvain 1962) 234–249. c. baeumker, Witelo, ein Philosoph und Naturforscher des XIII. Jahrhunderts (Beiträge zur Geschichte der Philosophie und Theologie des Mittelalters 3.2; Münster 1908); Miscellanea Francesco Ehrle, v.1 (Studie Testi 37; Rome 1924) 87–102.

[p. glorieux]