St. Alcuin

Alcuin of York was born around 735 in Northumbria, England, and died on 19 May 804 at Tours in Francia (modern France). Trained at the renowned cathedral school of York, he became one of the most learned men of his time. Meeting the Frankish king Charlemagne on a journey, he was invited to lead the palace school at Aachen, and he became the guiding intellect of the great revival of learning known as the Carolingian Renaissance.

A deacon and monk, he reformed education across the Frankish realm, promoted the copying and correction of manuscripts (helping preserve much of classical and Christian antiquity), worked on the liturgy and the text of the Bible, and wrote widely on grammar, theology, and the spiritual life. In his last years he served as abbot of St. Martin's at Tours. Long honored for his holiness and immense service to the Church's learning, he is venerated as Blessed.