(Albert the Great), one of the most celebrated philosophers and theologians of the middle ages, was born of the family of the Counts of Bollstidt, at Lauingen in Swabia. The date of his birth, according to the most probable calculation, is in 1193. He began his studies at Padua; where he became acquainted with Jordanus the General of the Dominicans, by whose influence he was led in 1222 to enter that order. After going through the regular course of philosophy and theology, he taught successively at Ratisbon, Strasburg, Friburg in Brisgau, Hildesheim, and Cologne. At the latter place, which became his favourite residence, he numbered among his pupils two future saints, Thomas of Cantimprato, and the "angelic" Aquinas. Aquinas followed him, when in 1245 he repaired to Paris for the purpose of obtaining the degree of doctor [magister]. During the requisite term of three years spent in public lecturing, Albert's instructions drew so large a concourse of scholars that he was obliged, in the ancient fashion, to teach in the open air. The name of the place Maubert (a contraction of magister or magnum, and Albert), and that of the neighbouring Rue de Maître-Albert, still preserve the record of these Aristotelic hours.
On his return to Cologne he was made regent of the school of the Dominicans; and in 1254 he was elected Provincial of his order, the duties of which office he discharged with unwearied zeal, visiting on foot all the bounds of his extensive jurisdiction. During this residence at Cologne, he is said to have fabricated the famous speaking automaton, which, together with his scientific acquirement and alchemical pursuits, gained him the reputation of a magician. This curious machine is said to have so provoked the pious horror of the "angelic doctor" by its diabolical jargon, that he broke it in pieces with his staff. In 1255, Albert was called to Rome to defend the privileges of his order against the University of Paris; a mission which he fulfilled with partial success; leaving its completion to his friend Aquinas. At Rome he discharged the office of reader to the Pope, lecturing on the Gospel of John and the Epistles. In 1260 he was made Bishop of Ratisbon; but the troublesome duties of this office suited ill with his retired and studious habits, and after three years he resigned it. He retired once more to Cologne, where he continued to teach till within a few years of his death. During this period he was frequently delegated with episcopal authority; and on one occasion he travelled at the request of Urban IV. through Germany and Bohemia, preaching the crusade. He died in 1280 at the advanced age of 87; and was buried in the choir of the Dominican church at Cologne. His tomb, which had the fame of working miracles, was opened in 1483, in presence of the general of the Dominicans, and his bones taken out to be distributed as relics.
Albert is chiefly remarkable as having been beyond question the most learned man of his age, and as the first who gave its decided direction to the general tendency of speculative intelligence towards the system of Aristotle. Without according to him the possession of profound or original genius, we may well sympathise in the admiration that bestowed on him the title of Great; did we only consider the fact, in connection with the time in which he lived, that his writings, ranging over the domains of natural history, metaphysics, and theology, and containing a body of knowledge, however imperfect or unmethodical, yet marvellous in its universality, occupy no less than 21 folio volumes. They were published at Lyons in 1651, edited, under superior authority, by Pierre Jammy, a Dominican monk. A detailed list of Albert's works, the genuineness of many of which it is impossible to determine, is to be found in the Scriptor. Ord. Predict. of Qoetif and Echard, vol. i. p. 171.
His disciples were distinguished by the name of Albertists.