(A.D. 856.)
[From his life by Rodolph the priest, monk of Fulda, d. 865; and
various writers of a later period.]
Rabanus, or Hrabanus Maurus, was one of the most illustrious writers
of the 9th century. He was born at Mainz, in the year 788. When very
young he was sent to the monastery of Fulda, where he was brought up.
From thence he was sent to Tours, where he studied for some time under
the famous Alcuin. He returned afterwards to Germany, into his
monastery, where he was entrusted with the government of the novices,
was afterwards ordained priest in the year 814, and at last chosen
abbot of Fulda, in 822. After he had managed this charge twenty years,
he voluntarily quitted it, to satisfy the monks, who complained that
his studies so engrossed his time that the affairs of the monastery
were neglected. He retired to Mount S. Peter, and was shortly after
chosen archbishop of Mainz or Mayence, in the year 847. He held a
council in the same year for the reformation of discipline; and died
in 856.
As a mystical interpreter to Holy Scripture, his commentaries will
ever be read. He was a voluminous writer on various subjects, sacred
and profane, and was certainly one of the most learned men of his day.