ALPHONSUS TOSTATUS, bishop of Avila, a
learned and voluminous Spanish writer. He flourished
about the middle of the 15th century, and by his un-
common abilities rose to the highest offices both in the
civil and ecclesiastical departments of the state. At
the age of 22 years he finished his studies at the uni-
versity of Salamanca, having made great progress in
every branch of learning then in estimation. He was
present at the council of Basel, and was afterwards pro-
moted to the bishopric of Avila. He died at the age
of 40 years, in 1454, and was buried in the church of
Avila. The following epitaph, expressive of his great
erudition, was inscribed on his tomb.
Hic stupor est mundi qui scibile discutit omne.
* This is the wonder of the world who treated of every
thing that could be known.
The numerous productions of Alphonsus are sufficient
proofs of his laborious industry: during his life he
wrote no less than 27 volumes in folio, of which 24
are commentaries on the Scriptures; the rest are on
theological subjects. By the order of Cardinal Xime-
nes they were printed at Venice in 1530, and in 1596;
and at Cologne in 1612. Several of his pieces on ec-
clesiastical history, science, and literature in general,
were separately printed at Salamanca in 1506, and
also his commentary upon the Chronicle of Eusebius.
Although high encomiums have been bestowed upon
his works, they have nevertheless fallen into oblivion.
(Dupin.)