Johannes Capreolus

John Capreolus (c. 1380–1444) was a French Dominican theologian and a prominent Thomist. He is sometimes referred to as the "Prince of the Thomists." His major work, the *Four Books of Defenses of the Theology of St. Thomas Aquinas*, is credited with initiating a resurgence of Thomistic thought. Capreolus was born and died within the diocese of Rodez. He was affiliated with the Dominican province of Toulouse. In 1407, a general chapter of his order in Poitiers assigned him to lecture on *The Sentences* at the University of Paris, a role he began in 1408 and in which he achieved considerable success. The following year, he completed the initial part of his extensive commentary defending Thomas Aquinas's theology. He successfully passed his degree examinations at the Sorbonne in 1411 and again in 1415. Following a period as regent of studies in Toulouse, he returned to Rodez to dedicate himself to his commentaries, finishing the remaining three parts in 1426, 1428, and 1433. His scholastic writings rigorously defended Aquinas against criticisms from various thinkers, including Duns Scotus, Henry of Ghent, and William of Ockham, and demonstrated a deep engagement with Aristotle and Averroes.