Published: Erasmus: Seven Things You Should Know

Erasmus of Rotterdam was supposed to be a monk. Instead, he became one of the most famous writers in Europe, rewrote the New Testament, made a bestseller out of a joke, and ended up trusted by neither side of the biggest religious split in a thousand years.

I'm no expert on Erasmus. But I went looking for what was most interesting, most surprising, and most useful to know about him — and came back with seven things I'm glad I know now.

Curious, a little lost, and taking notes.

Now on Amazon in ebook or paperback.

Erasmus, the first professional writer

The theologian Erasmus of Rotterdam was, according to historian Thomas Cahill, the first person in modern times to make his living solely by being a writer. The assertion is arguable, but quite likely true.

Erasmus appeared on the world scene in the 1460s, the dawn of the printing age. In Western Europe, literacy was on the rise, and the hunger for the printed word was nearly insatiable. Erasmus could write, and write well. He wrote with facility and agility.

And Cahill, in his book Heretics and Heroes, not only credits Erasmus with being the first professional writer, but also with being the person who invented the best-seller.

Even if Erasmus had not been the first professional writer, or the first best-selling author, we would remember him today for the enormous contributions he made to the ideas and creativity of his time, and the long-lasting effects they have had. Along with his contemporary, Martin Luther, Erasmus had no equal as an intellectual giant.