bishop of Avila, a learned and voluminous Spanish writer. He flourished about the middle of the 15th century, and by his uncommon 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 university of Salamanca, having made great progress in every branch of learning then in estimation. He was present at the council of Basle, and was afterwards promoted 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 flupor est mundi qui facile difficilis omnem.

"This is the wonder of the world who treated of everything that could be known."

The numerous productions of Alphonso 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 Ximenes they were printed at Venice in 1530, and in 1596; and at Cologne in 1612. Several of his pieces on ecclesiastical history, science, and literature in general, were separately printed at Salamanca in 1556, and also his commentary upon the Chronicon of Eusebius. Although high eulogiums have been bestowed upon his works, they have nevertheless in the current of time and human improvement fallen into oblivion, (Dupin.)