John of Holywood

Alternate Names

Johannes de Sacrobosco; Sacrobosco

Flourished first half of the thirteenth century

John of Holywood wrote mathematical texts that were widely commented upon, corrected, and republished all over Europe. His work and that of his commentators was used for teaching astronomy for several centuries.

Almost no reliable information about the life of John of Holywood exists. On the basis of a statement made by his commentator Robertus Anglicus in 1271, he is generally considered to have been English by birth, but the possibility that he was of some other nationality has also been entertained by historians. His only known institutional connections were with the University of Paris, where John of Holywood is thought to have lectured on mathematics and astronomy; he may, however, have been educated elsewhere. After his death a memorial was erected in the Paris monastery of Saint Mathurin, which was closely associated with the university. This monument is no longer extant, but the...