in Latin Albinius, surnamed Flaccus, an eminent ecclesiastic, and the reviver of learning in the eighth century. He was born, it is supposed, in Yorkshire, about 735. He was educated at York, under the direction of Archbishop Egbert, as we learn from his own letters, in which he frequently calls that great prelate his beloved master, and the clergy of York the companions of his youthful studies. As he survived Bede about 70 years, it is hardly possible that he could have received any part of his education under him, as some writers of literary history have affirmed; and it is worthy of observation, that he never calls that great man his master, though he speaks of him with the highest veneration. It is not well known to what preferments he had attained in the church before he left England, though some say he was abbot of Canterbury. He was sent to Rome by Einbald, the successor of Ethelbert, and in returning, at Parma he met Charlemagne, who, as Alcuin had already visited the French court, was no stranger to his extraordinary merit. The emperor contracted so great an esteem and friendship for him, that he earnestly solicited, and at length prevailed upon him, to settle in his court and become his preceptor in the sciences. Alcuin accordingly instructed that great prince in rhetoric, logic, mathematics, and divinity, which rendered him one of his greatest favourites. He particularly distinguished himself by his writings in defence of the orthodox faith against the heresiarch Felix D'Urgel; and on more than one occasion was employed in important missions between Charlemagne and Offa king of Mercia. "France," says one of our best writers of literary history, "is indebted to Alcuin for all the polite learning it boasted of in that and the following ages." The universities of Paris, Tours, Fulden, Soissons, and many others, owe to him their origin and increase, those of which he was not the superior and founder being at least enlightened by his doctrine and example, and enriched by the benefits he procured for them from Charlemagne." After Alcuin had spent many years in the most intimate familiarity with the greatest prince of his age, he at length, with great difficulty, obtained leave to retire from court to his abbey of St Martin, at Tours; where he remained till his death, A.D. 804. In his retirement he kept up a constant correspondence with Charlemagne, from which it appears that both were animated with the most ardent love to learning and religion, and constantly employed in contriving and executing the noblest designs for their advancement. Alcuin composed many treatises on a great variety of subjects, in a style much superior in purity and elegance to that of the generality of writers in the age in which he flourished. His works were collected and published by Du Chesne, in one volume folio, Paris, 1617: a Alderman better edition is that of Froben, 2 vols. folio, Ratibon, 1777. They consist of, 1. Tracts upon Scripture; 2. Tracts upon doctrine, discipline, and morality; 3. Historical treatises, letters, and poems. It is not improbable that Alcuin was the writer of the famous Caroline Books.