(Desiderius), born at Rotterdam in 1467. He lost his father and mother at 14 years of age; and was committed to the care of certain guardians, who would force him to be an ecclesiastic, which he refused for a long time. However, he was obliged to assume the religious habit among the canons regular in the monastery of Stein near Tergou; but afterwards obtained a dispensation from his vows. He was the most learned man of the age in which he lived; and contributed, by his example and his writings, to the restoration of learning in the several countries in which he occasionally resided, viz. Italy, Switzerland, Holland, France, and England; with the last, he was most satisfied; and found the greatest encouragement from Henry VIII. Sir Thomas More, and all the learned Englishmen of those days. He published a great many books; and died at Basil in 1536. He was buried honourably, and his memory is still held in veneration. He had, however, many enemies; and as he did not embrace the reformation, and yet censured many things in popery, he hath been treated injuriously both by Catholics and Protestants. The works of Erasmus in 10 vols folio were published at Leyden in 1706, in a very handsome manner, under the care of M. Le Clerc. Dr Jortin published his life in one vol. 4to, 1758.