ADRIAN VI. Pope, was born at Utrecht in 1459.
His father was not able to maintain him at school, but
he got a place at Louvain, in a college in which a cer-
tain number of scholars were maintained gratis. It is
reported that he used to read in the night time by the
light of the lamps in the churches or streets. He made
a considerable progress in all the sciences; led an ex-
emplary life; and there never was a man less intriguing
and forward than he was. He took his degree of doc-
tor of divinity at Louvain; was soon after made canon
of St Peter's, and professor of divinity at Utrecht, and
then dean of St Peter's and vice-chancellor of the uni-
versity. He was obliged to leave an academical life,
to be tutor to the archduke Charles. This young
prince made no great progress under him: however,
never was a tutor more considerably rewarded; for it
was by Charles V.'s credit he was raised to the papal
throne. Leo X. had given him the cardinal's hat in
1517. After this pope's death, several cabals in the
conclave ended in the election of Adrian, with which
the people of Rome were very much displeased. He
would not change his name, and in every thing he
showed a great dislike for all ostentation and sensual
pleasures, though such an aversion had been long ago
out of date. He was very partial to Charles V. and
did not enjoy much tranquillity under the triple crown.
He lamented much the wicked morals of the clergy,
and wished to establish a reformation of manners among
them. He died September 14. 1523.