Gabriel Vasquez

1549-1604. Jesuit philosopher and theologian. Born near Belmonte, Spain (he was sometimes known as “Bellomontanus”), he read philosophy at Alcalá (1565-69) and became a Jesuit (1569). Lecturing in philosophy at Alcalá (1571- 75), he also read theology there. He taught at Ocana and again at Alcalá, then for six years was at the Roman College until 1591, when he returned to Alcalá to succeed Francisco de Suarez* as professor of theology. His most important work is Commentarii ac Disputationes on Aquinas's Summa (8 vols., 1598-1615). He wrote a paraphrase and exposition of Paul's letters, and his Disputationes metaphysicae was formed out of assorted works by Murcia de la Llana (1617). Occasionally called “Augustine redivivus” and given to poverty, he often misdirected his learning; he labored heavily under Suarez's shadow and opposed his teaching.