Richard of Middleton

d. c.1300. Philosopher. His birthplace, “Mediavilla,” is of unknown location, some claiming a French, others an English or Scottish site. He joined the Franciscans, and the early 1280s found him a theologian, philosopher, and preacher in Paris. In 1283 he was appointed to a commission investigating the views of P.J. Olivi.* By 1295 he had completed his commentary on the four volumes of Peter Lombard's* Sentences. At several points he favored Thomistic over traditional Augustinian positions, e.g., Thomas's theory of knowledge. He rejected Anselm's ontological argument. Although the close of his life is obscure, he served as tutor in Naples for the sons of Charles II of Sicily and may have accompanied them to Barcelona when they were taken hostage. A number of other works have been attributed to him, perhaps erroneously. He certainly wrote 45 Quaestiones disputatae and Quodlibeta. The latter reflects his interest in hypnosis and telepathy.