Erasmus died on 12 July 1536 in Basel, aged 69. A Dutch humanist and priest, Erasmus was the leading scholar of northern Europe in the early sixteenth century. His edition of the Greek New Testament in 1516 challenged the authority of the Latin Vulgate, and works such as The Praise of Folly mocked clerical corruption and scholastic pedantry with sharp wit. He called for reform of the Church and a simple, inward piety, yet refused to break with Rome, which led to a famous dispute with Martin Luther over free will. He spent much of his life in Basel, Leuven and other centers of learning.
Before and after
- from 1536 to 1953Danish colonial empire
- 1536Founding of Valparaíso
- from 1536 to 1814Denmark–Norway
- from 6 May 1536 to 18 April 1537Siege of Cusco
- 12 July 1536Death of Erasmus
- from 23 July 1537 to 2 October 1540Third Ottoman–Venetian War
- 12 October 1537Birth of Edward VI of England
- 6 August 1538Founding of Bogotá
- from 1539 to 1572Origins of Vilcabamba
More in Art, literature & culture
- 15th centuryConstruction of Red Square
- 1600Rise of Baroque music
- 1602Publication of Hamlet
- c. 1653The Taj Mahal is completed
- 1661Construction of Palace of Versailles
- October 1745Publication of God Save the King
The era
This moment belongs to the Early modern world (1500 CE to 1760 CE), voyages, printing and new ideas. You can also browse everything in the 16th century.