Duns Scotus dies in Cologne

1308

The Subtle Doctor, a Franciscan Scot whose Latin prose tangled readers for centuries, died suddenly at forty-two. He had argued for the univocity of being and defended the Immaculate Conception when most theologians demurred. His emphasis on the primacy of individual will over intellect anticipated modern voluntarism. William of Ockham would be his greatest pupil and sharpest critic.