John Major (philosopher)

John Major, or even John Mair (* 1470 in North Berwick, † 1550 in St Andrews ) was a Scottish theologian, philosopher and writer in the Renaissance.

Life

Major studied at the University of St Andrews theology and philosophy. 1493 he went to the Sorbonne in Paris and stayed after finishing his studies as a philosophy teacher there. He returned to Scotland in 1515, taught at the University of Glasgow and worked in St Andrews, where he taught for the last two decades of his life later. Major was a prolific writer who wrote several theological treatises and comments on Aristotle and various medieval philosophers. Major was known for his support of the conciliar movement. His most famous work is the story of Britain, whose first edition appeared in 1521 in Latin. Major was famous during his lifetime as an author and teacher, his lectures were attended by the young John Knox, John Calvin and George Buchanan.