Isidore of Seville in Roman Biography

Isidore, Saint, an eminent Spanish scholar and bishop, born at Carthagena about 570 A.D., was a brother of Leander, Archbishop of Seville. He understood Greek, Hebrew, and Latin, and was very influential in the Spanish Church. About 600 he was appointed Bishop of Seville. The Council of Toledo, held in 650, denominated him "the glory of the Catholic Church, and the most learned man of his age." Among his most important works are, in Latin, "A Chronicle from the Origin of the World to 626 A.D.," and "Twenty Books of Etymologies," which, says Dr. Hoefer, " is one of the most precious monuments for the history of human knowledge." Died in 636 a.d. See Saint Ildefonso, "De Viris illustrious ;" Tritheim, "De Scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis;" Roeslkr, " Dissertatio ; Isidori Historia Gothorum, Vandalorum," etc., 1803.