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St. Anselm of Canterbury (1033/34 – 1109) was an Italian-born Benedictine monk, abbot, philosopher, and theologian who became the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1093 to 1109. He is often called the father of Scholasticism, a philosophical and theological movement that sought to reconcile faith and reason.

Key Highlights of His Life
Early Life: Anselm was born in Aosta, Italy, and initially pursued a career in politics. However, he felt a strong calling to monastic life and eventually joined the Benedictine monastery at Bec in Normandy, France.

Philosophical Contributions: Anselm is best known for his ontological argument for the existence of God, which he presented in his work “Proslogion.” He argued that God, being the greatest conceivable being, must exist in reality because existence is a necessary condition of being the greatest.

Theological Works: Anselm also wrote “Cur Deus Homo” (Why God Became Man), where he developed the satisfaction theory of atonement, explaining how Christ’s sacrifice reconciles humanity with God.

Archbishop of Canterbury: Anselm was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury and worked to defend the church’s interests in England, often clashing with the English kings over issues of church authority and investiture.

Legacy: Anselm’s works have had a lasting impact on Christian theology and philosophy. He was canonized in 1494 and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1720.

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