(Nicholas de), a learned cardinal, born of mean parentage, and named from Cusa, the place of his birth. He was made a cardinal in 1448; and being appointed governor of Rome by Pope Pius II. during his absence at Mantua, he was the chief concerter and manager of the war against the Turks. He founded a church, and a noble library of Greek and Latin authors, at Cusa; and left many excellent works behind him, which were collected and published in three volumes at Basle in 1565. In these he has made no scruple to detect the lying traditions and sophistries of the Roman church.