Archive: Erasmus

Melvyn Bragg (via archive) and guests discuss the Dutch humanist scholar Desiderius Erasmus, the greatest classical scholar of his age, known for his editions of the Bible that corrected corruptions and his satire In Praise of Folly. The episode examines his role in the northern Renaissance, his decision to remain within the Catholic Church when the Reformation began, and his famous debate with Martin Luther over free will. The discussion highlights Erasmus's textual scholarship, his religious criticism, and his enduring influence.